Rk. Jansson et al., EFFICACY OF SOLID FORMULATIONS OF EMAMECTIN BENZOATE AT CONTROLLING LEPIDOPTEROUS PESTS, The Florida entomologist, 79(3), 1996, pp. 434-449
Six solid formulations of emamectin benzoate (three impregnated powder
blends, two dry powder blends, and one soluble granule) were compared
with an emulsifable concentrate. (EC) formulation for their residual
efficacy at killing tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (= Helic
overpa virescens (F.)), and beef armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner),
in glasshouse tests. Two trials were conducted. Emamectin benzoate wa
s applied tu plants at two rates in each trial(8.4 and 0.084 g ai/ha i
n the first trial; and 8.4 and 0.84 g ai/ha in the second trial). The
first trial was conducted in a glasshouse; in the second trial, plants
mere treated in the glasshouse and moved outdoors for the duration of
the study. In the first trial, all three impregnated powder blends, o
ne dry powder blend, and the EC formulation were comparable in their e
ffectiveness at controlling both targets when applied at the high rate
(8.4 g ai/ha). At the low rate, efficacy at controlling H. virescens
did not differ among formulations, whereas the two powder formulations
provided the longest residual efficacy against S. exigua. In the seco
nd trial, one impregnated powder blend, two dry powder blends, a solub
le granule, and the EC formulation were comparable in their effectiven
ess at killing both species up to 10 days after application when appli
ed at the high rate (8.4 g ai/ha). At the low rate (0.84 g ai/ha), one
powder formulation was consistently more effective at controlling S.
exigua, whereas no formulation consistently outperformed all others at
controlling H. virescens. Two field studies demonstrated that two dry
powder blend formulations were very effective and comparable to the E
C formulation at controlling Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Keiferia lycope
rsicella (Walsingham), and S. exigua on tomato. These data demonstrate
that solid formulations of emamectin benzoate have potential for cont
rol of Lepidoptera. The importance of a solid formulation for emamecti
n benzoate is discussed.