author(s)
U Sreedhar

abstract
Tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman is one of the important pests of tobacco in India. The studies were conducted to find alternative molecules for neo nicotinoids for management of aphids in Virginia tobacco. Flupyradifurone 17.09 SL @ 0.026%, flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.02%, pymetrozine 50 WG @ 0.02% and sulfoxaflor 21.8 SC @ 0.007% were evaluated in comparison with neo nicotinoids. The results showed cent per cent mortality of aphids within 4 days in flupyradifurone, sulfoxaflor and flonicamid whereas 8 days for rest of the treatments except thiamethoxam. Higher yield parameters were recorded in flupyradifurone, sulfoxaflor and flonicamid. Studies on persistent residual toxicity indicated that sulfoxaflor was the most persistent (PTI 2332.98) followed by flupyradifurone (PTI 2149.68), flonicamid (PTI 2082.08) and pymetrozine (PTI 1946.16). Studies onsafety of the insecticides to the natural enemies of aphid in tobacco ecosystem revealed, that pymetrozine, flonicamid and sulfoxaflor were found relatively less toxic to the predators of tobacco aphid. Based on the studies flupyradifurone 17.09 SL @ 0.026%, flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.02%, pymetrozine 50 WG @ 0.02% and sulfoxaflor 21.8 SC @ 0.007% can be good alternatives to the neo nicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam for management of aphids in Virginia tobacco.