Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)

Coconut is a crop of high economic value in Bangladesh due to its versatile uses. But at present, coconut plants are found to be seriously infested by invasive Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, resulting substantial yield loss. Against this backdrop, efficacy of several conventional and biorational insecticides were evaluated during December 2019-February 2020 in two coconut growing areas of Bangladesh for developing sustainable management option(s) against this pest. Among the tested conventional and biorational insecticides, significantly the highest percent reduction of both nymph and adult whitefly population over control (77.01% nymph and 73.79% adult in Jashore; 75.78% nymph and 76.8% adult in Barishal) in both the locations was recorded from spraying Tundra 50 SP (Acetamiprid) followed by Admire 200 SL (imidacloprid) and Bio-clean (d-limonene). The effectiveness of Pegasus 500 SC (Diafenthiuron) and Fytoclean (Potassium salt of fatty acid) was not satisfactory in reducing nymph and adult population of whitefly. Parasitism activity of nymphal parasitoids was found enhanced when biopesticides were applied indicating positive role of biopesticides in pest management. The chemical insecticide Tundra 50 SP (Acetamiprid) and biopesticide, Bio-clean (d-limonene) holds promise for incorporation into a well￾designed integrated pest management (IPM) program against Rugose Spiraling Whitefly in coconut.