Control of sugar cane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with toxic baits

Author(s)

Greice Erler

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2010-10-18

Examining board members

Octavio Nakano; Enrico de Beni Arrigoni; José Roberto Postali Parra

• Advisor: Octavio Nakano

Abstract

This work aims to study baits added to insecticides used as toxic baits in the control of moths of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) determining their appropriate doses and distances of application. In laboratory, were tested different baits in terms of selectivity, age and concentration, choice of pesticide and ideal dosage, determining distances within the application area, residual effects and attractiveness to some natural enemies. The D. saccharalis was kept under controlled temperatures (25+1ºC), RH (60+10%) and photophase (14 hours). We evaluated its mortality 24 and 48 hours after exposure to the baits. The selection and concentration of the bait and the pesticide were based on results that presented effiency higher than 80%. Among the different of concentrations of baits and pesticides, we obtained the ideal for each toxic bait as follows: acetic acid (2.5%); acetic acid + 3-methyl-1-butanol (1.25%); gold syrup (20%) and sugar (2.5%) added to cloridrato of cartape (2.0; 2.0; 1.5 and 2.0 g i.a. L-1 solution), respectively. In relation to the distance of application, we observed that the bait does not attract the adult from a distance larger than 50cm, being necessary to spray the baits in the entire area. As for results obtained on the attractiveness to natural enemies (Cotesia flavipes and Doru luteipes), we observed that only the C. flavipes was attracted to molasses baits. In the field, we carried out the spraying of toxic bait in whole area. The treatments were: acetic acid (285mL ha-1) + cloridrato de cartape (45 g i.a. ha-1), molasses (1,14L ha-1) + cloridrato of cartape (45 g i.a. ha-1), Bacillus thuringiensis (1L ha-1) + Hygrogen (1L ha-1) and triflumurom (38,4 g i.a. ha-1), being this last one aimed at caterpillars of the 2nd instar. The treatments based of B. thuringiensis and triflumurom were set up as standard. Results were analyzed regarding the number of caterpillars which appeared after the sprays. Findings showed that the treatment that had better result was based on molasses which was superior than the chemical control with triflumurom, growth regulator pesticide, largely used nowadays mainly in the western of São Paulo state, where there is high level of infestation of sugarcane borer. Thus, the toxic bait based on molasses becomes an alternative to the chemical control of D. saccharalis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/06180-0 - Control of sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) using the toxic bait
• Grantee: Greice Erler
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master