Abstract

                                Laboratory experiments were conducted at the Insectary, Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2008-2009 to study the safety of emamectin benzoate 5 SG to the eggs, larvae and adults of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens). Low egg mortality was recorded in emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 7 g (9.67%), 9 g (15.00%) and 11 g a.i. ha -1 (15.33%). The standard, Proclaim® 11 g (14.33%), spinosad 45 SC at 75g (19.00%) and endosulfan 35 EC at 350 g a.i. ha -1 (34.07%) recorded high mortality. Adult longevity was the highest in untreated check (15.77 days), emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 7 g (10.50 days) and 9g a.i. ha -1 (9.00 days). The number of eggs laid per five females was also greater in untreated check (373.67 eggs), 7g (132.33 eggs) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 9 g a.i. ha -1 (126.67 eggs). At 48 HAT, the lowest larval mortality was recorded in emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 7 g (17.67%) and 9 g a.i. ha -1 (21.00%) in larval feeding method. In dry film method at 48 HAT, the lowest per cent mortality of 16.67 per cent in emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 7 g followed by 26.67 per cent in emamectin benzoate 5 SG at 9 g a.i. ha -1 . Endosulfan 35 EC at 350 g a.i. ha-1 registered the highest larval mortality (43.33%), while untreated check recorded 3.33 per cent mortality.

Key words : Safety, Emamectin benzoate 5 SG, Chrysoperla carnea.