LAUSR

Abstract The bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) is an economically important insect pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp in south China. Spinetoram is a newly available commercial active ingredient in the spinosyn mode of action group of insecticides that has been recommended for thrips management in China. In this study, the toxicity and efficacy of spinetoram for controlling M. usitatus were evaluated and compared to six other conventional insecticides. In addition, the synergistic effects of adjuvants (Silwet 806, Silwet 618, AgroSpred 910, and AgroSpred Prime) mixed with spinetoram for thrips control on cowpea were evaluated in both the laboratory and the field. Results of this study showed that spinetoram had higher toxicity and field efficacy of M. usitatus than other tested insecticides. A significant increase in efficacy was observed when spinetoram was applied at a recommended rate of 0.67 ml/L, mixed with Silwets (806 and 618) at the rate of 0.5 ml/L. Reductions of 50% and 40% in thrips infestation in the field over treatments without adjuvants were observed 3- and 7-days posttreatments, respectively. However, no significant reduction of M. usitatus was recorded when spinetoram was mixed with AgroSpreds (910 and Prime). Furthermore, no significant differences were found in thrips infestation between spinetoram sprayed alone at the rate of 0.67 ml/L and a reduced rate of spinetoram (0.45 ml/L) mixed with Silwets (806 and 618). The current research shows that Silwets mixed with spinetoram has a synergistic effect in the management of thrips.