Performance of insecticides in control of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sugarcane

Abstract

The population of the caterpillar Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has increased in the crop of sugarcane in recent years. Although the control of this insect is traditionally carried out through biological control, the use of phytosanitary products has still been necessary. Therefore, the goal of this work was to evaluate the performance of different insecticides in sugarcane borer control, as well as the effect on productivity and total recoverable sugar (TRS). The experiment was conducted in a randomized experimental delineation of blocks, with six treatments and four blocks. Treatments consisted of five insecticides and one control group (without application of insecticide). For calculating the D. saccharalis infestation index, monthly samplings were performed every 30 days, for 12 months. After this period, the final D. saccharalis infestation index was evaluated and calculated for each treatment. In order to compare productivity among procedures, four central lines were collected from each plot. Thus, the samples were weighed for the productivity calculation (TCH) and sent to the laboratory for the total recoverable sugar (TRS) analysis. The chloranthraniliprole (350) insecticide provided a lower index of sugarcane borer infestation, in addition to greater productivity when compared to the other insecticides. There was no significant difference in the parameter of total recoverable sugar (TRS) among treatments.

Chemical and biological products used in sugarcane and their effect on Trichogramma galloi

“…The concomitant use of parasitoids with chemical insecticides can affect T. galloi emergence and survival, and hence reduce its population in the field (Cônsoli et al, 2008; Costa et al, 2014). The insecticidal molecule chlorantraniliprole, for example, has high control rates for D. saccharalis infestations (Silva et al, 2020), causing irregular contraction of muscle cells, leading to paralysis, lethargy, starvation, and death (Tohnishi et al, 2005). However, studies have demonstrated the negative effects of chemical insecticides on natural enemies, such as parasitoids used in sugarcane (Desneux et al, 2007; Goulart et al, 2012; Costa et al, 2014; Beloti et al, 2018; Matioli et al, 2019).…”