Using bio-pesticides to control the black-headed fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on apple, Malus domestica, in the mid-hill Himalayas of Kashmir

The black-headed fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner 1817) is emerging as a major apple pest. The use of pesticides in apples leads to health and environmental risks. Biopesticides are considered an effective alternative to synthetic insecticides especially on fruit crops consumed as fresh by consumers. Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate three biopesticides, namely, emamectin benzoate 5% SG, azadirachtin 0.03% EC and spinosad 45% SC under field conditions in comparison with the insecticide chlorpyrifos 20% EC. The results revealed that emamectin benzoate and spinosad showed the highest toxicity when used at medium and high concentrations followed by a high tested concentration of azadirachtin when compared with standard check chlorpyrifos. The trees treated with high tested concentrations of spinosad recorded maximum larval mortality (95.24 and 95.83% at pea size and 96.30 and 95.24% at nut size fruit stage during 2018 and 2019, respectively) and emamectin benzoate (93.33 and 100% at pea size and 92.50 and 95.24% at nut size fruit stage during 2018 and 2019, respectively). However, azadirachtin was found more effective up to 10 days of application at all three tested concentrations. Emamectin benzoate and spinosad were found suitable for controlling blackheaded fireworm in India.