Efficacy of four natural products against the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon

Abstract

The most serious and damaging pest in Egypt and other nations worldwide is the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. The larvae of black cutworm were used to test the effectiveness of four natural products spinosad, abamectin, emamectin benzoate and essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare). Concentrations of these compounds were prepared in acetone and examined at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 ppm and oregano oil at 10.0, 100.0, 250.0, 500.0, 1000.0 and 2000.0 ppm. The percentage of larval death was assessed one, three, five, and seven days after treatment. The findings showed that the four natural products were highly toxic to A. ipsilon when applied through leaf dipping. After five days of treatment, emamectin benzoate resulted in 100% larval mortality at 1 ppm. After seven days of treatment, the abamectin and spinosad showed comparable toxicity against A. ipsilon, with both compounds causing 100% larval mortality at 10 ppm. Also, the results demonstrated that oregano oil caused complete larval mortality (100%) at 1000 and 2000 ppm after 7 days of treatment. These results suggest that four natural products could be utilized in IPM strategies for this insect.