Insecticides

Insecticides
Insecticides

Introduction

Insect pests are one of the biggest challenges in agriculture, causing major yield losses and reducing crop quality. Scientific use of insecticides is essential for protecting crops and ensuring healthy plant growth. Modern farming emphasizes research-based, eco-friendly, and integrated pest management practices to control harmful insects while keeping the environment safe.

Types of Insecticides

Insecticides are categorized based on their origin and method of action. The main types include:

  1. Bio Insecticides – Derived from microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

  2. Plant Extract (Botanical) Insecticides – Made from natural plant compounds.

  3. Chemical (Synthetic) Insecticides – Man-made compounds for fast and effective control.

Each type has unique applications depending on crop type, pest severity, and environmental conditions.

Control Insect Categories

Different insecticides target specific categories of insect pests:

  • Chewing Insects: Caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers

  • Sucking Insects: Aphids, whiteflies, jassids, thrips, mites

  • Boring Insects: Stem borers, fruit borers, shoot borers

  • Soil Insects: Termites, cutworms, white grubs

Proper pest identification is crucial for selecting the most effective insecticide.

Bio Insecticides

Bio insecticides are derived from living organisms and are safe for the environment.

Common Examples:

Bacterial Bio Insecticides

  1. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – Effective against caterpillars and leaf-eating pests

  2. Bacillus sphaericus – Controls mosquito larvae

  3. Bacillus popilliae – Targets white grubs

  4. Bacillus lentimorbus – Controls scarab beetle larvae

  5. Bacillus subtilis – Reduces fungal pests and promotes plant health

Fungal Bio Insecticides

  1. Beauveria bassiana – Effective against aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs

  2. Metarhizium anisopliae – Controls termites, locusts, and soil insects

  3. Paecilomyces fumosoroseus – Effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids and thrips

  4. Verticillium lecanii – Controls whiteflies, aphids, and thrips

  5. Nomuraea rileyi – Targets lepidopteran pests like caterpillars

Viral Bio Insecticides

  1. Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) – Specific to caterpillars and armyworms

  2. Granulosis Virus (GV) – Targets lepidopteran pests

Nematode-Based Bio Insecticides

  1. Steinernema spp. – Effective against soil-dwelling insect larvae

  2. Heterorhabditis spp. – Controls white grubs, cutworms, and root pests

Botanical / Plant-Derived Microbial Bio Insecticides

  1. Neem-Based Microbial Formulations – Combines neem extracts with beneficial microbes for sap-sucking insects

Other Microbial Bio Insecticides

  1. Chromobacterium subtsugae – Effective against caterpillars

  2. Serratia entomophila – Targets scarab beetle larvae

  3. Photorhabdus luminescens – Works with entomopathogenic nematodes to kill soil pests

  4. Xenorhabdus spp. – Symbiotic with nematodes; kills soil insects

  5. Paenibacillus spp. – Controls lepidopteran pests and promotes plant growth

Benefits:

  • Eco-friendly and safe for beneficial insects

  • Minimal residue on crops

  • Suitable for organic farming

  • Reduces pest resistance

Plant Extract (Botanical) Insecticides

These are natural compounds derived from plants to control pests.

Common Sources:

  • Neem (Azadirachta indica) – Contains azadirachtin; effective against aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars.

  • Garlic Extract (Allium sativum) – Repels insects like aphids, mites, and thrips.

  • Chilli Extract (Capsicum annuum) – Acts as a deterrent for caterpillars and beetles.

  • Karanja Oil (Pongamia pinnata) – Controls aphids, mealybugs, and mites.

  • Tobacco Extract (Nicotiana tabacum) – Toxic to aphids, leaf miners, and caterpillars.

  • Marigold Extract (Tagetes spp.) – Repels nematodes and some soil insects.

  • Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) – Natural pyrethrin; fast-acting against flies, beetles, and caterpillars.

  • Castor Leaf Extract (Ricinus communis) – Repels sap-sucking insects.

  • Turmeric Extract (Curcuma longa) – Has antifungal and insect-repellent properties.

  • Neem Seed Cake – Byproduct of neem oil; used in soil to control root pests and nematodes.

  • Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum) – Repellent for aphids and whiteflies.

  • Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) – Acts as an insect repellent and fumigant.

  • Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum verum) – Deterrent against fungal pests and some insects.

  • Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon citratus) – Effective as a mosquito and pest repellent.

  • Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinale) – Acts against aphids, mites, and leaf miners.

Benefits:

  • Acts as a repellent and antifeedant

  • Safe for humans and environment

  • Supports early pest management

  • Integrates well with IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

Chemical (Synthetic) Insecticides

Chemical insecticides are synthetic compounds for rapid pest control.

Major Groups:

  • Organophosphates – e.g., Chlorpyrifos, Malathion

  • Carbamates – e.g., Carbaryl, Aldicarb

  • Pyrethroids – e.g., Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin

  • Neonicotinoids – e.g., Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam

  • Diamides – e.g., Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole

  • Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) – e.g., Methoprene, Pyriproxyfen

  • Oxadiazines – e.g., Indoxacarb

  • Spirotetramat & Spinosyns – e.g., Spinosad, Spinetoram

  • Sulfoximines – e.g., Sulfoxaflor

  • Phenylpyrazoles – e.g., Fipronil

  • Avermectins / Macrocyclic Lactones – e.g., Abamectin

  • Chloronicotinyls – e.g., Thiacloprid

  • Benzoylureas – e.g., Diflubenzuron, Lufenuron

  • Organochlorines – e.g., DDT (rarely used due to bans)

  • Pyridyl Compounds – e.g., Pyriproxyfen (as juvenile hormone analog)

Benefits:

  • Rapid action for severe infestations

  • Long-lasting control

  • High efficiency for commercial crops

Important: Use only at recommended doses and rotate insecticides to avoid resistance.

Insecticide Use Benefits

Proper use of insecticides offers several advantages:

  • Protects crops from yield and quality loss

  • Enhances plant growth and health

  • Improves productivity and profitability

  • Controls pest populations effectively

  • Ensures stable food production

Common Crop Insects Controlled by Insecticides

🐛 Chewing & Boring Insects

  1. Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

  2. Tobacco Caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)

  3. Gram Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

  4. Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella)

  5. Shoot & Fruit Borer (Earias vittella)

  6. Rice Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas)

  7. Sugarcane Early Shoot Borer (Chilo infuscatellus)

  8. Leaf Folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis)

  9. Cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)

  10. Armyworm (Mythimna separata)

🦟 Sucking Insects

  1. Aphid (Aphis gossypii)

  2. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

  3. Jassid / Leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula)

  4. Thrips (Thrips tabaci)

  5. Mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis)

  6. Scale Insect (Aonidiella aurantii)

  7. Psylla (Diaphorina citri)

  8. Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens)

  9. Mite (Tetranychus urticae)

  10. Leaf Miner (Liriomyza spp.)

🌾 Soil & Root Insects

  1. Termite (Odontotermes obesus)

  2. White Grub (Holotrichia spp.)

  3. Wireworm (Agriotes spp.)

  4. Root Borer (Emmalocera depressella)

  5. Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa spp.)

🍅 Fruit, Pod & Stored Crop Pests

  1. Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)

  2. Brinjal Shoot & Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis)

  3. Pod Fly (Melanagromyza obtusa)

  4. Rice Hispa (Dicladispa armigera)

  5. Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)

🌿 Miscellaneous Harmful Insects

  1. Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor)

  2. Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella)

  3. Mustard Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi)

  4. Castor Semilooper (Achaea janata)

  5. Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros)

  6. Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis)

  7. Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei)

  8. Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis antonii)

  9. Banana Rhizome Weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus)

  10. Mango Hopper (Idioscopus clypealis)

Beneficial Information for Farmers

Best Practices for Insecticide Use:

  • Correctly identify the pest before spraying

  • Follow recommended doses and spray intervals

  • Rotate insecticides to prevent resistance

  • Spray during early morning or late evening

  • Always use protective equipment

Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

  • Combine chemical, bio, and botanical insecticides

  • Use cultural practices and mechanical pest control

  • Encourage natural predators and beneficial insects

  • Regular field monitoring to prevent infestations

Conclusion

Insecticides are essential tools in modern agriculture when used scientifically. By selecting the right type (bio, botanical, or chemical) and following safe application practices, farmers can protect crops, increase yield, and promote sustainable farming.

ResearchAgritech.com – Science for Research Farming 🌱

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