Median Lethal Concentration and Efficacy of \u3ci\u3eBacillus Thuringiensis\u3c/i\u3e Against Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

This study was conducted to determine dose-mortality response of the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and its effect on sunflower seed damage and yield. Of B. thuringiensis products tested, Cutlass AF and Javelin WG had the lowest LC50 values and highest slopes and relative potencies for C. hospes. Javelin WG was superior to the other B. thuringiensis materials tested and to Asana XL in preventing seed damage. Sunflower heads sprayed with Javelin WG had higher yields than sunflower heads sprayed with Asana XL or the other B. thuringiensis products tested. Asana XL is a standard chemical insecticide and is considered to give good control of banded sunflower moth. As an alternative to Asana XL, any of the B. thuringiensis products tested could be employed for control of C. hospes larvae and to reduce the impact on beneficials in sunflower fields