Effect of whorl application of sand mixed chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC on the reproductive biology of invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, invaded India in 2018. Since then, this pest was considered as one of the serious threats to maize growers. A handful of management strategies have been developed to manage this pest. One such strategy is the application of sand mixed insecticides to leaf whorls. The present study evaluates the effect of different concentrations of sand mixed chlorantraniliprole applied to the maize whorl on the FAW reproductive biology. The sand mixed chlorantraniliprole at 0.4 ml/kg was significantly effective in inducing higher mortality, lower foliar consumption, lower pupal weight, fecundity and hatchability compared to the recommended foliar spray at 0.4 ml/L. Up to 14 days post-treatment, chlorantraniliprole mixed with sand (0.4 ml/kg) and foliar spray (0.4 ml/L) were equally effective in altering FAW fitness, whereas chlorantraniliprole mixed with sand (0.4 ml/kg) was continue to perform significantly better with a prolonged effect up to 30 days. Therefore, the whorl application of sand-mixed chlorantraniliprole at a dosage of 0.4 ml/kg can be used as an alternative delivery method of insecticide directly to the whorl instead of recommended and commonly practiced foliar spray.