Evaluation on the effectiveness of some insecticides against leaf-eating caterpillars (Antheraea frithi) damaging Hopea odorata in the laboratory

Abstract

Leaf-eating caterpillars (Antheraea frithi) have caused serious damage to planted forests, street trees, especially Hopea odorata in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces in the recent years. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevention effectiveness of five biological (Abamectin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Azadirachtin, Emamentin benzoate and Spinosad) and five chemical insecticides (Cartap, Thiosultap sodium, Deltamethrin, Cypermethrin and Etofenprox) on Antheraea frithi in five larval instars. These aimed to meet the effective management requirements to plantations and street trees when being attacked by this insect. Experimental results showed that this insect species was sensitive to insecticides in the larval stage, especially in the 1st - 3rd instarts. Biological insecticides containing Emamentin benzoate or Spinosad had an insecticidal effect of 100% to Antheraea frithi larval after spraying for 1 - 5 days and are more effective in prevention than the other biological insecticides. In addition, the chemical insecticides (Deltamethrin, Cypermethrin and Etofenprox) were very effective and act quickly in preventing Antheraea frithi after spraying for 4 - 24 hours.