FIELD STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL CONTROL OF THE DARK-SIDED CUTWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) ON TOBACCO IN ONTARIO, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO DURSBAN®

Abstract

AbstractDDT, carbaryl, Dursban® (0,0-diethyl 0-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate), and AC-47031 (cyclic ethylene (diethoxyphosphinyl) dithioimidocarbonate) were applied at different rates on rye and/or soil for control of the dark-sided cutworm, Euxoa messoria (Harris), attacking flue-cured tobacco in Ontario. All insecticides tested caused significant reductions in cutworm damage in comparison with the untreated check. Dursban at 1/2 lb/ac on rye, or 1 lb/ac incorporated in the soil tended to give better control than DDT at 4 lb/ac on soil and showed a significant difference from split applications of DDT at 11/4 lb/ac on rye and 4 lb/ac on soil in the large scale test. Carbaryl and AC-47031 showed less effect than DDT. There was no advantage in the split application of DDT or Dursban on rye and on soil since each treatment singly could provide effective control of this pest. Rye treatment is more economic than soil treatment and could apparently provide adequate control. Dursban showed promise as a substitute for DDT for control of the dark-sided cutworm in tobacco fields.