DPX-MP062 - A POTENT COMPOUND FOR CONTROLLING THE EGYPTIAN COTTON LEAFWORM SPODOPTERA-LITTORALIS (BOISD.)

The effects of DPX-MP062 [methyl ahydro-2-[methoxycarbonyl(4-trifluoro methoxyphenyl indeno[1,2-e][1,3,4] oxadiazine-4a-carboxylate] a broad- spectrum insecticide with a novel mode of action, on the Egyptian cott on leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, were studied in laboratory experim ents. Egg hatch was affected by high concentrations (125 mg AI litre(- 1)) of DPX-MP062. Larvae that hatched from treated eggs were significa ntly affected at concentrations of 125 mg Al litre(-1) and greater. La rvae were fed castor bean leaves treated with DPX-MP062; 1st-instar la rvae were the most susceptible development stage. Pupation and adult f ormation were determined in assays with 5th-instar larvae. There was s trong suppression of adult formation; 65 and 91% at 0.5 and 0.75 mg AI litre(-1), respectively. Highly affected larvae died before pupation; slightly affected ones reached pupation 2-4 days later, were smaller than larvae in the untreated control, and were sometimes unable to dev elop into normal adults. Comparatively high concentrations (50 and 100 mg AI litre(-1)) of the test compound were necessary to affect adults by ingestion, but no effects from contact application could be determ ined at a concentration of 100 mg AI litre(-1). (C) 1998 Society of Ch emical Industry