EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT BIO-PESTICIDES AGAINST RUGOSE SPIRALING WHITEFLY INFESTING COCONUT CROP UNDER FIELD CONDITION

ABSTRACT: Coconut is an important cash crop in Bangladesh, particularly for coastal livelihoods, contributing significantly to safeguard economic stability, nutritional security, and environmental protection. But being invasive sap-sucking insect pest, the rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) has recently been recognized as a serious threat to coconut cultivation all over Bangladesh. Studies were carried out in two locations viz. Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Jashore and RARS, BARI, Barishal to document the comparative efficacy of five biopesticides against rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) infesting coconut during 2023-24. The results revealed that biopesticide Bioclean 5% SL (d-limonene) provided highest efficacy with 66.51-70.56% reduction of nymph/adult population of RSW over control. Whereas, application of Fizimite (10% sodium lauryl ether sulfate) offered the second highest efficacy with 60.05-61.38% reduction of nymph/ adult population of RSW over control. The highest natural parasitism (17.01 18.34%) and parasitoid adult emergence (12.35-13.59%) was recorded from Fytoclean (potassium salt of fatty acid) followed by Biotrin (5% matrine). The best performing biopestcides viz. Bioclean 5% SL and Fizimite could be utilized in a well designed IPM program against rugose spiraling whitefly in coconut. 

Keywords: Biotrin, Fizimite, Fytoclean, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, IPM