Bioassay of Organic Insecticides, in Terms of Contact Toxicity, to the Black Cutworm, Agrotis ypsilon (Rott.)

Abstract

In recent years the black cutworm, Agrotis ypsilon (Rott.), has been the predominant species of economic importance in southwestern Ontario. Relatively small populations of this insect can cause extensive damage to widely-spaced cash crops such as tobacco, tomatoes, and sugar beets.Present control recommendations are based primarily on results obtained from field trials. These results are often inconclusive because cutworm outbreaks are difficult to predict and usually unevenly distributed. Therefore, it is necessary to develop laboratory techniques to assist in assessing the comparative toxicity of insecticides and their formulations.