The effectiveness of some selected insecticides against cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and their non-targeted predators

The invasive polyphagous cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley has emerged as a serious sucking pest of cotton. laboratory and field bioassays seven selected insecticides belonging to five toxicant groups were evaluated against P. their most abundant natural predators, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) Hyperaspis vinciguerrae Capra. Based on the toxicity index toxic group under conditions was esfenvalerate, acetamiprid dimethoate after 24 h 72 treatment followed by oxadiazines metaflumizone, indoxacarb finally anti-moulting IGRs, diflubenzuron chlorfluazuron 3rd instar nymphs using spraying method technique. Of insecticides, significantly superior over rest treatments with highest average reduction percentage in mealybug population (98.26%) esfenvalerate (96.72%), (89.66%), metaflumizone (89.43%), (86.28%), (81.51%), least one (76.82%). Field experiments recorded that IGRs safer toxicants towards C. (45.99%) (25.68%) H. vinciguerra, (49.39%) (41.52%).