Mixtures of Dislodgers and Synthetic Insecticides On the Management of Fall Armyworm: Laboratory and Field Assessments
摘要
The behavioral characteristics of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), pose a significant challenge for chemical control methods. In response, commercial dislodgers have been introduced to alter their behavior and improve the effectiveness of insecticide sprays. In this study, we first examined the effect of dislodgers on the walking behavior of 2nd and 4th instar caterpillars using computational behavioral tracking with the Ethovision® XT system. The 4th instar caterpillars of S. frugiperda exposed to Kumulus DF® and Creolin Pearson® increased the total distance traveled and walking speed. Chemical compatibility assessments revealed significant changes in electrical conductivity and pH when testing binary mixtures of dislodging agents and synthetic insecticides. However, physical analyses indicated a lack of homogeneity and phase separation in some mixtures. Survival curves of 4th instar caterpillars showed marked differences in survival probability when exposed to the insecticides spinetoram and methomyl combined with selected dislodgers. In a field test, binary mixtures containing Kumulus DF® improved the control effectiveness of S. frugiperda caterpillar. However, mixtures with Creolin Pearson® significantly reduced the efficacy of the synthetic insecticides. The dislodging effect of Kumulus DF® on 4th instar S. frugiperda caterpillars is relatively temporary, lasting less than 15 min. Therefore, where the timing of application is missed or neglected, using sulfur-based dislodging products like Kumulus DF® may be an effective alternative to help mitigate the impact of S. frugiperda in cornfields.