The objectives of the present study were to compare the insecticidal efficacy of three control methods against Myzus persicae, one of the world’s most important agricultural pests. The experimental strategies tested biological control (using entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana), botanical control (neem oil and garlic extract) and chemical control (with insecticides imidacloprid and lambda-cyhalothrin). Additionally, the synergistic effect of combining the most effective agent from each category was assessed. The results revealed a clear superiority of B. bassiana as a biological control agent, achieving a mortality rate of 91.9% in nymphs. Neem oil also demonstrated exceptional efficacy as a botanical pesticide, with a nymph mortality rate of 96.4%, significantly outperforming garlic extract. In the chemical control category, the systematic insecticide imidacloprid was almost 100% effective against nymph and was superior to the contact insecticide lambda cyhalothrin. The most striking result was 100% mortality using imidacloprid, neem oil, and B. bassiana combined in the integrated treatment. This synergism encourages the utilization of multi-modal attack (neurological, physiological and biological), which impedes the development of pests’ resistance. The future for sustainable and effective control of Myzus persicae resting with IPM programs having multiple components as the present study recommends. Although the rapidity of action of imidacloprid would lead to manage efficacy, associating it with biological and botanical control agents as B. bassiana and neem oil, allows not only immediate control, but an intelligent approach for resistance management, reduces impacts on environment and spares chemical insecticides efficacy.
Obeid et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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