Management of Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) using Indigenous Isolated Granulovirus and Azadirachta indica

ABSTRACT Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a cosmopolitan pest, infesting the cruciferous crops worldwide. It has developed resistance against chemical insecticides. To overcome this problem there is dire need to explore alternative control measures which are safer to the environment and compatible with human health. The present study was conducted to investigate the insecticidal properties of native isolated Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PxGV) and Azadirachta indica (AZA) on mortality and development of P. xylostella under laboratory conditions. Both AZA and PxGV were applied alone and in integrated manners at LC20 and LC50 dose rates. The combination of 349.3 parts per million of AZA and 4.8×10 4 occlusion bodies per millimeter of PxGV, resulted in synergistic interaction after 3 rd, 5 th and 8 th days post application while the additive effect was observed only after 1 day post-treatment. Moreover, combined application of PxGV and AZA at sub-lethal doses exhibited increased larval, pupal and adult longevity and decreased larval and adult weight. In conclusion, combination of PxGV and AZA at low dose rate is a viable option to control diamondback moth.