Abstract

                                Maize is affected by more than 30 insect pests and the recent attackby the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda has been a seriousconcern to maize growers all over the country. Being polyphagous with awider host range, the pest necessitates the use of insecticides in thehitherto unsprayed maize ecosystems of the country. Evaluation of newerinsecticides against fall armyworm revealed that, the combination insecticide,chlorantraniliprole 9.3% + lambda cyhalothrin 4.6%ZC registered lesserinfestation after first round of spraying. However after two rounds of spraying,emamectin benzoate 5%SG, spinetoram 11.7%SC, chlorantraniliprole18.5%SC, flubendiamide 480%SC and chlorantraniliprole 9.3% + lambdacyhalothrin 4.6%ZC were on par in their efficacy in reducing the fall armyworminfestation, though emamectin benzoate and flubendiamide treated plotsregistered comparatively higher yields. With respect to B:C ratio, emamectinbenzoate and chlorantraniliprole 18.5%SC registered comparatively higherBC ratio followed by flubendiamide 480%SC, spinetoram 11.7%SC andchlorantraniliprole 9.3% + lambda cyhalothrin 4.6% ZC. Thus the aboveinsecticides can be used in maize ecosystems to effectively tackle the fallarmyworm menace.

Key words : Maize; Fall Armyworm; Spodoptera frugiperda; New Insecticides; Evaluation