COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF INSECTICIDES AS SEED TREATMENT AGAINST WHEAT APHID AND ITS COCCINELLID PREDATOR

Aphid (Sitobion avenae F.) is the serious insect pest of wheat and has attained the status of regular insect pest over the last couple of years. The efficacy of four insecticides as seed treatment against wheat aphids and its coccinellid predator (Coccinella septempunctata L.) was evaluated at their recommended field doses under field conditions. The insecticides were Hombre® (Imidachloprid + Tebuconazole), Actara® (Thiamethoxam), Dividend Star® (Cyproconazole + Difenoconazole) and Actara® + Dividend Star® at their recommended field doses i.e. 4.0gm/kg, 0.6gm/kg, 1.0 gm/kg and 0.72 + 1.0 gm/kg per acre respectively. Aphid population was the lowest after application of Hombre® and Actara® insecticide whereas highest aphid densities were found after application of Dividend Star® and in untreated control. The higher population of ladybird beetle was recorded after seed treatment with Dividend Star® as compared to other treatments. Application of Hombre® resulted significant increase in 1000 grain weight and wheat crop yield as compared to all other treatments. It can be concluded that Hombre® and Actara® as seed treatment could be efficiently utilized for controlling wheat aphids.