Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-5wvtr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-21T02:13:12.319Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

LABORATORY STUDIES ON THE TOXICITY OF INSECTICIDES TO THE BERTHA ARMYWORM (MAMESTRA CONFIGURATA) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

C. R. Harris
Affiliation:
Research Institute, Canada Department of Agriculture, London, Ontario
S.A. Turnbull
Affiliation:
Research Institute, Canada Department of Agriculture, London, Ontario

Abstract

This study had dual objectives: to select a series of insecticides toxic to the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Walk.), and to determine susceptibility of the various developmental stages to insecticides. Pupae were collected from infested rapeseed fields in Alberta and a laboratory rearing procedure suitable for production of large numbers of insects was devised. The direct contact toxicity of 50 insecticides to third-stage larvae was assessed. Methomyl and DDT were included as standard insecticides. None of the experimental insecticides was as toxic as methomyl but about one half were more toxic than DDT. Tests with representative organochlorine, organophosphorus, and carbamate insecticides indicated that all caused rapid knockdown of third-stage larvae. There was no evidence of subsequent recovery. After the life history of the bertha armyworm under controlled environmental conditions was determined, tests were conducted to ascertain the susceptibility of the various developmental stages to methomyl, chlorpyrifos, leptophos, and methidathion. Eggs and first and second stage larvae were more susceptible to direct contact applications of the insecticides than were the later larval stages, pupae, and adults.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1975

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abbott, W. S. 1925. A method of computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. J. econ. Ent. 18: 265267.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alberta Department of Agriculture. A. Rep. 1971: 7778; 1972: 73; 1973: 43.Google Scholar
Flint, H. M., Eaton, J., and Klassen, W.. 1972. The use of Fumidil-B to reduce microsporidian disease in colonies of the boll weevil. Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 65: 942945.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Gore, F.. 1971. Toxicological studies on cutworms. VIII. Toxicity of three insecticides to the various stages in the development of the darksided cutworm. J. econ. Ent. 64: 10491050.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Svec, H. J.. 1968 a. Toxicological studies on cutworms. II. Laboratory studies on the toxicity of insecticides to the darksided cutworm. J. econ. Ent. 61: 961965.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Svec, H. J.. 1968 b. Toxicological studies on cutworms. III. Laboratory investigations on the toxicity of insecticides to the black cutworm, with special reference to the influence of soil type, soil moisture, method of application, and formulation on insecticide activity. J. econ. Ent. 61: 965969.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Svec, H. J.. 1968 c. Toxicological studies on cutworms. IV. Laboratory investigations on the toxicity of insecticides to the variegated cutworm, with special reference to method of application on insecticide activity. J. econ. Ent. 61: 970973.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Svec, H. J.. 1969. Laboratory studies on the contact toxicity of some insecticides to cabbage loopers. J. econ. Ent. 62: 10131016.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R. and Svec, H. J.. 1973. Toxicological studies on cutworms. XI. Laboratory and field microplot studies on the effectiveness of some experimental insecticides in controlling the redbacked cutworm in organic soil. J. econ. Ent. 66: 444446.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, C. R., Svec, H. J., and Sans, W. W.. 1973. Toxicological studies on cutworms. IX. Laboratory and microplot field studies on effectiveness and persistence of some experimental insecticides used for control of the darksided cutworm. J. econ. Ent. 66: 199203.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hsiao, T. H. and Hsiao, C.. 1973. Benomyl: a novel drug for controlling a microsporidian disease of the alfalfa weevil. J. invert. Path. 33: 303304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, L. C. and Lynch, R. E.. 1970. Treatment of Ostrinia nubilalis larvae with Fumidil B to control infections caused by Perezia pyraustae. J. invert. Path. 15: 4348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDonald, H. 1972. The bertha armyworm crisis. Can. Agric. Winter 1972: 1012.Google Scholar
McDonald, S. 1969. Laboratory evaluation of several new insecticides for control of the pale western cutworm. J. econ. Ent. 62: 3035.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDonald, S. 1972. Laboratory evaluation of several new insecticides for control of the redbacked cutworm. J. econ. Ent. 65: 533539.CrossRefGoogle Scholar