Ovicidal Properties of Fenoxycarb against the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ovicidal effects of fenoxycarb, ethyl[2-phenoxyphenoxyethyl] carbamate, against the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), egg masses of different ages were investigated in laboratory studies. Egg mass age was a critical factor in the activity of the juvenoid against FAW eggs. Percent eclosion was significantly (P =< 0.05) lower in egg masses treated on Day 1 of oviposition than in masses treated on either Day 2 or Day 3 postoviposition. Mean (@+ SE) percent eclosion of eggs treated on Day 1 was 86.9 (@+ 12.1), 30.5 (@+ 1.2), 10.8 (@+ 0.7), and 17.4 (@+ 2.7) following application of fenoxycarb at 0, 50, 100, and 200 gm AI/ha, respectively. Mean percent eclosion of eggs treated with fenoxycarb on Day 2 or Day 3 ranged from 76.1 to 89.0 and did not differ significantly (P =< 0.05) from the untreated checks (83.4% and 93.5%). No delayed developmental effects in either developmental rate, prepupal weight, or adult fecundity were noted in the fenoxycarb treatments.