Management Of Fall Armyworm Research Articles

Management of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith Using Recycled Virus Inoculum from Larvae Treated with Baculovirus under Field Conditions.

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a major pest of maize and causes huge losses. Chemical pesticides are the commonly used control strategy among farmers. The efficacy of baculoviruses against FAW has been proven; however, farmers may not be able to afford the products. The use of farmer-produced baculovirus mixtures could provide an opportunity for a nature-based solution for FAW at a low cost. This study evaluated the potential of recycled virus inoculum from FAW larvae treated with a commercial baculovirus (Littovir) for the management of FAW under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, the virus from 25, 50, 75 and 100 FAW larvae caused variable mortality among FAW instars. The highest mortality (45%) among 1st-3rd instars was caused by Littovir followed by recycled virus inoculum from 100 FAW larvae (36%). Under field conditions, even though recycled virus inoculum did not offer adequate protection against FAW damage, the maize yield was comparable to that of commercial insecticide-treated plots and similar to that of control plots. This study has shown the potential use of recycled virus inoculum from infected larvae for the management of FAW. This would offer the farmers a sustainable and affordable option for the management of FAW as it would require the farmers to purchase the commercial baculovirus once and collect larvae from treated plots for repeat applications.

Companion crops alter olfactory responses of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and its larval endoparasitoid (Cotesia icipe)

BackgroundThe fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a devastating invasive pest and a threat to food security in Africa, with yield losses of 20–50%. Recent studies highlighted the importance of cereal crops such as maize and sorghum as the most preferred host plants for FAW oviposition. In the current work, we investigated the olfactory responses of FAW and its key larval endoparasitoid Cotesia icipe to odours from the preferred host (maize) in the presence of six potential companion crops including beans, groundnut, sweet potato, greenleaf- and silverleaf desmodium, and cassava. We hypothesized that odours released by companion crops in maize-based intercropping systems would alter host preferences of FAW for oviposition and its parasitoid responses.ResultsIn dual choice oviposition bioassays, FAW laid significantly more eggs on maize than on the other plants. However, in the multiple-choice bioassays, significantly fewer eggs were laid on maize when companion plants were present except cassava. While wind tunnel bioassays confirmed the differential behavioural responses of FAW, we found that its larval endoparasitoid C. icipe was attracted to volatiles from the companion plants tested individually and/or when they were combined with maize. Coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis detected several potential behaviour-modifying compounds including (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-β-ocimene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, camphor, methyl salicylate and (E, E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene.ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence supporting diversified maize cropping system could reduce FAW damage by repelling the pest while simultaneously recruiting its natural enemies. Hence, diversifying cereal cropping system with companion crops could serve as an ecologically sustainable FAW management strategy.Graphical

A GENDER PERSPECTIVE IN MITIGATING FALL ARMYWORM (Spodoptera frugiperda) TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD PRODUCTION RESILIENCE IN BOMET COUNTY, KENYA

The emergence and rapid spread of the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda in Africa having spread from its Native American since 2016 seriously threatens the food crop production of millions of smallholder farmers. In December 2016, the Kenyan government started experiencing the invasion of FAW threatening the food crop production in the country. Smallholder farmers have different household setups with gender differentials towards managements of any new invasive crop pests including FAW. From literature reviews, fall armyworm invasion can affect food production to zero production if not properly managed but there are gaps on effects of fall armyworm within different headed households by gender prompting the study on effects of fall armyworm invasion on food production between differentiated headed households in Bomet County, Kenya. Data was collected using multiple approaches including interviews on households and key informants, focus group discussions and observations. A household baseline survey and focus group discussions were done using a structured questionnaire and checklist where a total of 384 respondents were enumerated. The study result showed that the management of fall armyworm are gender specific with different gender roles and activities being used. Therefore, gender specific programs and different headed households should be approached differently during agricultural production using an effective network of extension and advisory which provides technical advice on management of new invasive pests towards food production and environmental resilience

Evaluation on the Efficacy of Synthetic insecticides for the Management of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive and notorious pest of maize in many countries including Nepal. Several approaches of integrated management have been adopted for its control, chemical being the most popular choice in the farmers’ fields. Efficacy of such chemical pesticides for fall armyworm is interpreted as per the location, season, time and crops. In some cases, insect pests are always increasing the pesticide resistance. Hence to minimize the confusion of insecticide efficiency in various levels of understanding in the farmers’ level, field research was conducted in October 2021 to April, 2022. Seven different treatments (azadirachtin, chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, spinetoram, imidacloprid and control) were tested in a four replicated RCBD design. Two sprays were made in twenty-days after seeding and fifteen-days after first spray in openfield condition. Minimum damage across various stages of maize plant was recorded inspinosad sprayed plots followed by spinetoram, chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate, respectively. Maize yield was also recorded highest in spinosad and spinetoram sprayed plots. Highest score of damage was recorded in imidacloprid treated plots. This study further proved spinosad and spinetoram are the most popularly applied insecticides for the fall armyworm management.

Transgenerational Sublethal Effects of Chlorantraniliprole and Emamectin Benzoate on the Development and Reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), commonly known as the fall armyworm (FAW), causes significant damage to many different crop species. In this study, age-stage, two-sex life table analysis was used to investigate the effects of sublethal concentrations of emamectin benzoate and chlorantraniliprole on FAW development and reproduction. In the F0 generation, exposure to emamectin benzoate and chlorantraniliprole significantly impacted the duration of FAW, thus prolonging the development duration of each instar, but not the prepupal stage. Furthermore, the weight of FAW pupae was significantly reduced by emamectin benzoate at LC25 and chlorantraniliprole at LC25 in the F0 generation. With respect to fecundity, emamectin benzoate and chlorantraniliprole significantly reduced fecundity in the F0 generation. In the F1 generation, emamectin benzoate at LC10 had no significant effect on the preadult or adult stages, whereas LC25 significantly shortened the preadult period. The preadult and adult stages of FAW exposed to chlorantraniliprole at LC10 and LC25 were significantly prolonged. Furthermore, emamectin benzoate had no significant effect on the pupal weight of the F1 generation. Chlorantraniliprole had no significant effect at LC10, but significant reduced pupal weight occurred at LC25 in the F1 generation. With respect to fecundity, emamectin benzoate significantly reduced fecundity in the F1 generation. Interestingly, chlorantraniliprole significantly increased fecundity in the F1 generation, which could promote population growth and pest resurgence. These findings have important implications for the integrated pest management of FAW and provide a reference for the more effective control of FAW.

Gender Roles Influencing Fall Armyworm Management Towards Environmental and Food Production Resilience in Bomet County, Kenya

Gender Roles Influencing Fall Armyworm Management Towards Environmental and Food Production Resilience in Bomet County, Kenya

Agroecological management of fall armyworm using soil and botanical treatments reduces crop damage and increases maize yield

IntroductionFall armyworm continues to disrupt smallholder farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa, with sporadic outbreaks and chronic cereal crop losses. Smallholders have been adapting to the pest by increasing crop surveillance for targeted control measures and developing low-cost solutions. For example, some report placing soil or ash in maize whorls where the mechanism of pest control may be suffocation, abrasion leading to desiccation, or through the introduction of soil-borne entomopathogens.MethodsTo verify the efficacy of this approach we evaluated different soil types on maize infested with fall armyworm to assess their efficacy. We also evaluated the efficacy of pesticidal plant species, powdered and placed in leaf whorls to control fall armyworm. Results and discussionDifferent United States Department of Agriculture-characterised soil types (sand, loam, clay) and wood ash were effective in reducing the number of larvae and maize leaf damage by approximately 50%. Maize yield with the synthetic control (chlorpyriphos) was 13,700 kg/ha, which was 42% higher than the untreated control (7,900 kg/ha). Soil and ash treatments yields between 10,400 to 12,400 kg/ha were 24-36% higher than the untreated control. Dry soil applied after watering was most effective regardless of soil type. However, wet soil treatments applied before watering were also highly effective in reducing the number of fall armyworm larvae and reducing insect damage to maize leaves. Botanical powders from Azadirachta indica, Nicotiana tabacum, Cymbopogon citratus and Lippia javanica were also effective when applied to maize leaf whorls. Plant powder treatments and water extracts were significantly effective in reducing the number of larvae and leaf damage. The highest yield obtained with botanicals was observed with A. indica powder (5,600 kg/ha), C. citratus extract (5,800 kg/ha) and N. tabacum extract (5,800 kg/ha), where the synthetic treatment yield was 6,900 kg/ha and the untreated yield was 1,700 kg/ha. We conclude that smallholder farmer innovations in managing fall armyworm are effective low-cost options. Scientific validation of soil treatments and botanicals should help increase the confidence of policy makers and allow knowledge extension services to recommend their use to smallholder farmers, which in turn may reduce reliance on imported synthetic pesticides and improve farmer resilience, circular economies and human and environmental health.

Identification of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its two host strains in China by PCR-RFLP.

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda was first found in China in 2018. In other countries, FAW has evolved corn and rice strain biotypes. It is not possible to identify these strains based on morphology. In addition, FAW is very similar in appearance to several other common pests. These situations bring great challenges to the population management of FAW. In this study, we developed a rapid identification method based on PCR-RFLP to distinguish the two FAW strains and the FAW from other lepidopteran pests. A 697 bp mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) was cloned and sequenced from FAW, Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera exigua, and Mythimna separata. The COI fragments of these species revealed unique digestion patterns created by three enzymes (Tail, AlWN I, and BstY II). Thus, these four species can be distinguished from each other. The enzyme Ban I recognized a unique SNP site on a 638 bp triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) fragment of the corn strain FAW. The Tpi fragment of the corn strain was cut into two bands. However, the rice strain could not be digested. Using this method, all 28 FAW samples collected from different host plants and locations in China were identified as the corn strain. This suggests that the rice strain has not yet invaded China. This method allows discrimination of FAW from other Lepidopteran pests and distinguishes the two FAW host strains.

Basic Developmental Characteristics of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Reared under Laboratory Conditions

The life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from field-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. The incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. The mean larval lengths from the first to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. The mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. The mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. The total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. The mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. The life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. This study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.

Invasion, Distribution, Monitoring and Farmers Perception of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and Farm-Level Management Practices in Bangladesh

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major pest of maize that was first detected in Bangladesh in 2018 and rapidly spread throughout the maize-growing areas. The presence of FAW was monitored using sex pheromone traps. Farmers' pest management practices were assessed through a questionnaire. The damage is most apparent in the early and late whorl stages. As the crop is grown mostly from November to April, both vegetative and reproductive growth stages remain vulnerable to extensive damage. The survey results showed that 100% of the farmers used pesticides for FAW control, 40.4% handpicked and crushed egg masses, 75.8% handpicked and crushed caterpillars, and only 5.4% used other techniques like applying ash/sand in the funnel of maize. Commonly used pesticides included Spinosad, Emamectin benzoate, Imidacloprid, and others. Thirty-four percent of farmers applied pesticides twice in a season and 48% applied pesticides three times in a season and 54% and 39% of farmers sprayed chemicals at 7-day and 15-day intervals, respectively. FAW causes an average economic loss of 37.7% in maize production without pesticides. Increased use of pesticides to control FAW poses hazards to human health, wildlife, and the environment, and is expensive. Therefore, well-tested agroecological practices and bio-control agents are needed for sustainable FAW management.

Farmers’ knowledge, experience and management of fall armyworm in a major maize producing municipality in Ghana

Since its discovery in Ghana, the fall armyworm (FAW) has damaged maize farms resulting in yield losses. This study investigated farmers’ knowledge, practices and impact of the pest in a major maize growing municipality in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from 200 randomly sampled farmers on their knowledge, practices, perceived effect and management of the FAW. FAW susceptibility to insecticides was also assessed. Although insecticide application was dominant (98%) and farmers experienced adverse health effects, application frequency and the resulting effects were not significantly related (p > 0.05). Usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) was low (45.7%) and only 2% of the farmers used complete PPE. Gender correlated positively with PPE usage with more females wearing PPE compared to males. Age, farming experience, education and farm size did not significantly impact on PPE usage. The FAW outbreak negatively affected farmers’ relationships (36.5%) and caused economic loss to many farmers (80%). FAW was susceptible to emamectin benzoate (1.9% w/v) and emamectin benzoate (48 g/L) + acetamiprid (64 g/L) but not Bacillus thuringiensis (55%) + monosultap (45%) under laboratory conditions. The findings and implications of the study on farmer safety and sustainable pest management are discussed.

Management of Fall Army Worm <i>Spodoptera Frugiperda</i> (J E Smith) in South Asia-Current Status and Future Strategies

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smtih) is a native of the neotropics and it has invaded Nigeria region of Africa in 2016 and reached India in May 2018. Since then it has spread to most of the South and Southeast Asian countries, Australia and recently reached New Zealand and some South Pacific islands. Even though FAW has many hosts in its native region, the population that reached Africa and spread to Asia and Oceania prefers maize the most. In its biology, the capability of adults to fly more than 100 km in a night, females laying eggs in clusters of 100 or more to a maximum of 2,000 eggs in five days of their lifetime, later instar larvae becoming cannibalistic, pupating in soil, not diapausing and inability to survive at temperatures below 10oC, offers a unique opportunity to devise an effective management strategy. The IPM package for maize incorporating management of FAW involve: seed treatment with a systemic insecticide to protect young plants up to three weeks after planting; release of egg parasitoids Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) immediately after finding FAW moths caught in the pheromone traps in the field; and release of larval parasitoids Bracon (Habrobracon) hebetor, and Bracon (Habrobracon) brevicornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and treating with bio- and botanical pesticides, when whorl damage in observed.

ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI INFLUENCE ON GROWTH OF CREOLE MAIZE AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

<p><strong>Background</strong>: The fall armyworm <em>Spodoptera frugiperda </em>is one of the main pests of maize in Mexico. Its control and management have been performed mainly with pesticides. One of the alternatives is to incorporate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) because of the benefits they provide to plants improving their growth and promoting their defense system against this pest. <strong>Objective</strong>: Evaluate the effect of AMF in creole maize growth in reducing leaf damage and development of <em>Spodoptera frugiperda </em>larvae<em>. </em><strong>Methodology</strong>: In greenhouse conditions, creole maize plants were inoculated with 80 spores of <em>Funneliformis mosseae</em>, <em>Rhizophagus intraradices </em>and without AMF. Height and stem diameter were determined in mycorrhized plants at 15, 30, and 45 days after plant inoculation. After 45 days, plants were infested with three third-instar larvae of <em>S. frugiperda</em> and left to feed for 12 days; fresh weight and cephalic capsule width and size were measured. Once larvae were removed, leaf damage was determined in plants by means of a visual scale, leaf area and mycorrhizal colonization. <strong>Results</strong>: Root colonization of maize plants by AMF had a significant effect (Tukey’s <em>p </em>≤ 0.05) in creole maize growth expressed in plant height at 30 days and at 45 days in stem diameter only in plants inoculated with <em>F. mosseae </em>(Tukey’s <em>p </em>≤ 0.05). Leaf damage by the fall armyworm was similar between inoculated and uninoculated with AMF. Larvae that consumed plant leaves inoculated with <em>R. intraradices </em>showed greater fresh weight compared to those inoculated with <em>F. mosseae</em>. Moreover, width of the cephalic capsule and size were similar between larvae fed with plants inoculated with and without AMF. <strong>Implications</strong>: The results provide new perspectives and considerations to incorporate AMF in management of fall armyworm in creole maize. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: These results show that AMF partially promote plant growth of creole maize; leaf damage is similar between plants with and without AMF. Insect weight increased depending on AMF species, which influenced their development.</p>

Comparative effects of biopesticides on fall armyworm management and larval parasitism rates in northern Ghana

The outbreak of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Africa has led to several recommendations of insecticides, including biopesticides. However, the effects of these products on the environment, especially on parasitoids have not been assessed under field conditions. Here, we investigated the effect of commonly used biopesticides on S. frugiperda management and larval parasitoids of S. frugiperda in northern Ghana. The experiments were conducted both on-station in Wa and Nyankpala and on-farm in Wa during the 2020 rainy season. Active ingredients tested included neem oil (3% Azadirachtin), maltodextrin (282 g/l), 55% Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) combined with 45% Monosultap, and a Pieris rapae granulosis virus combined with 5% Bt. A chemical insecticide based on emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid was used as positive control while non-treated maize plots were considered as untreated control. The two most abundant parasitoids in Wa were Coccygidium luteum and Chelonus bifoveolatus, while in Nyankpala they were C. luteum and Meteorus sp. Total larval parasitism rates on-station were 18.7% and 17.6% in Wa and Nyankpala, respectively, and 8.8% in Wa on-farm. Parasitoid species diversity and evenness indexes did not vary among treatments, but parasitism rates were significantly lower with the chemical on-station in Wa and with the virus and Bt product in Nyankpala. Untreated maize plots showed the highest larval density and plant damage, the highest cob damage, and generated the lowest yields. The other treatments showed hardly any difference in cob damage and yields, suggesting that biopesticides should be preferred over chemical pesticides for S. frugiperda control.

Synergistic effects of chlorantraniliprole and camptothecin on physiological impairments, histopathological, biochemical changes, and genes responses in the larvae midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda

Spodoptera frugiperda is an economically important agricultural pest and poses a serious threat to food security globally. Its management is gravely challenged by its high polyphagous nature, strong migratory ability, and massive fecundity. Chlorantraniliprole (CHL) is widely utilized in controlling S. frugiperda, its intensive application and over-reliance pose adverse health risks, development of resistance, toxicity to beneficial insects, natural enemies, and environmental contamination. To address S. frugiperda resistance to CHL and its inherent challenges, this study explores the synergistic effects of camptothecin (CPT) with CHL in its management. The binary mixed adversely induced the larvae weight and mortality when compared to single-treated. CHL + CPT (1:20 mg/L) had the highest larvae mortality of (73.80 %) with a high antagonistic factor (0.90), while (1:10 mg/L) with (66.10%) mortality exhibited a high synergistic factor (1.43). Further, CHL + CPT (1:10 mg/L) considerably altered the midgut epithelial cell, peritrophic membrane, microvilli, basement membrane, and regenerative cells. For biochemical analysis, CHL + CPT (1:10 mg/L) significantly decreased glutathione-S-transferase (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene CDNB) and cytochrome P450 (7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation) activities in the midgut in a dose and time dependent manner. Based on RNA-Seq analysis, a total of 4,373 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the three treatments. CPT vs CK (Control) had 1694 (968 up-, 726 down-regulated), CHL vs CK with 1771 (978 up-, 793 down-regulated), and CHL + CPT vs CK had 908 (394 up-, 514 down-regulated) DEGs. The enrichment analysis disclosed significant pathways such as metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, glutathione metabolism, TOLL and IMD (Immune Deficiency) signaling pathway, longevity regulating pathway. This study provides basis to expatiate on the molecular toxicological mechanism of CHL + CPT in management of fall armyworm.

REVIEW ON STATUS OF INVASION AND INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF FALL ARMYWORM (SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA)

Fall armyworm is a polyphagous, transboundary invasive pest that invaded India in May 2018. They have a wide host range, the potentiality to establish rapidly and are highly migratory. Spread and establishment of this pest are enhanced during the monsoon season of the country with favourable climate and temperature. However, climatic conditions of India favour the outbreaks of pests such as FAW in many maize grown areas. It causes considerable injuries to maize by feeding on leaf whorls, ears and tassel which often leads to total yield loss. This pest demands meticulous and stepwise plan for its management. This review emphasizes an introductory pathway of the invasive pest, biology, lifecycle, status, and management of fall armyworm in India. It includes adoption of IPM methods of pests’ control, which is the integration of biological, cultural, physical, chemical, and technological approaches. Control of this invasive pest requires early monitoring, scientific research, and management strategy with awareness, knowledge, and technical support to Indian farmers

Performance of frontline demonstrations on integrated management of fall armyworm in maize at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu

Performance of frontline demonstrations on integrated management of fall armyworm in maize at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu

Sequential application strategy for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in maize

Sequential application strategy for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in maize

Comparative efficacy of biopesticides, bioagents and insecticides for management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda infesting maize

Comparative efficacy of biopesticides, bioagents and insecticides for management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda infesting maize

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF APPLYING INSECTICIDAL TREATMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FALL ARMYWORM (SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA) IN DANG, NEPAL

Fall Armyworm is an invasive pest causing damage to more than eighty plant species which mainly prefers maize. It damages maize leaf as well as whorl resulting in yield reduction. An experiment was carried out using different methods of applying insecticidal treatments for the management of fall armyworm. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and eight treatments. The treatments included Spinosad @0.3ml/L normal spray, Spinosad – whorl treatment, Spinetoram @0.75ml/L – normal spray, Spinetoram – whorl treatment, Emamectin benzoate @0.4gm/L normal spray, Emamectin benzoate – whorl treatment, Azadirachtin – whorl treatment, Azadirachtin @3ml/L normal spray (Check). Total of three sprays were applied at 15 days interval and whorl treatments were applied at 15 days. Damage percentage was recorded from four rows in each plot excluding two outer rows. The observed measurements was statistically analyzed and presented. Results revealed that highest damage percentage (40.02, 38.20 and 29.29) was recorded with Azadirachtin-normal spray(3ml/L) and lowest damage percentage (23.02, 19.37 and 11.66) was recorded with Spinosad normal spray at three different scouting after each insecticidal treatment. As there is less amount insecticide applied through whorl treatment, whorl treatments are suggested to be more environmentally friendly. However, with highest (3.07) benefit cost ratio, most economic method was found to be normal spray of Emamectin benzoate (0.4gm/L).