Role of imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr nanocapsule in control of hunting billbug, Sphenophorus venatus and white grub, Phyllophaga crinita as principal pests of golf courses

Abstract

Abstract Both hunting billbug, Sphenophorus venatus and white grub, Phyllophaga crinita are considered the most destructive pest for golf courses not only in Egypt but worldwide. This work is considered the first record of P. crinita in Egypt. So, many efforts were carried out to control these pests. In this work nanopesticides formulations were used against these pests; imidacloprid nanocapsule and chlorfenapyr nanocapsule under laboratory conditions. Three concentrations were used for each nanocapsule. Two stages for each pest were treated; the third and sixth instar larvae of S. venatus and the first and third instar larvae of P. crinita. The obtained results showed that the nanocapsule formulations of both imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr were very effective against S. venatus and P. crinita larvae. The LC50 of imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr nanocapsule against the sixth instar larvae of S. venatus were 10.3 and 11.8 ppm, respectively, and 8.8 and 9.1 ppm, respectively, against the third instar larvae. The corresponding results with the third and first instar larvae of P. crinita were 11.2 and 17.2 ppm, and 8.7 and 11.6 ppm, respectively. The results showed also imidacloprid nanocapsule was more effective than chlorfenapyr nanocapsule especially, with the first concentration; the percentages of mortality ranged between 91.7 to 96.7% with imidacloprid nanocapsule compared with 75 to 88.3% with chlorfenapyr nanocapsule. The obtained results found that the nanocapsule formulations were very promising in the control of S. venatus and P. crinita larvae. These formulations can be reduced soil contamination compared with the traditional formulations.