A comparative study between a commercial mixture compound and its individual active ingredients on the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on tomatoes under semi-field conditions

Abstract

Abstract Background Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) is the second most important vegetable crop in Egypt and is infested with many insect pests. The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) causes severe economic losses in tomatoes and many other crops. Many management strategies were developed in order to manage the economic losses obtained. In this context, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness using a mixture of Emamectin benzoate and lufenuron or using them solely against the 2nd and 4th instar larvae of S. littoralis under semi-field conditions. Results The obtained results showed that the mixture compound show high initial killing effect against 2nd and 4th instar larvae in both growing seasons. Furthermore, the residual effect of the tested compounds also showed the efficiency of the mixture over the solitary active ingredients. In addition, the treatment of the 4th instar larvae with the LC50 of the tested compounds showed significant impacts against the soluble protein, carbohydrate, lipid contents, and the detoxification enzymes. Conclusion In conclusion, the results showed that the emamectin benzoate and lufenuron could be safe and effective substitute for conventional insecticides either applied solely or in combination.