Abstract
The control of larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae, by viruses, bacteria, and chemical insecticides was compared. In small field plots five applications of the nuclear-polyhedrosis virus of T. ni (1.8 × 1011 polyhedra/acre) and the granulosis virus of P. rapae (4 ×1011 granules/acre) controlled the respective host larvae as well as five applications of the chemical insecticide methomyl (0.5 to 1 lb/acre). Dipel HD-1 (0.25 lb/acre) and Thuricide HPC (60 fl. oz/acre), formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis, were as effective against T. ni larvae as methomyl but not as effective as Fundal (0.5 lb/acre) or Dipel at a higher rate (0.5 lb/acre). The control obtained by combinations of viruses with endosulfan or methomyl suggested an effective method of reducing use of chemical insecticides. Control of T. ni and P. rapae in plots up to 3 acres in area in growers’ fields demonstrated the effectiveness of the viruses when used as commercial insecticides.

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