Effectiveness of three insecticides against mustard aphid, Lip aphis erysimi kalt. and their safety to the predator, Coccinella septempunctata L.

Three insecticides - Metasystox-R 25EC, Dimethion 40EC and Fentro 50EC were sprayed on mustard aphid to evaluate their effectiveness on Lipaphis erysimi and safety to the predator Coccinella septempunctata in the field. Metasystox-R was found as the most effective insecticide against mustard aphid. Fentro was highly toxic to C. septempunctata. Dimethion at the concentration of 0.025% proved to be soft to the predator. The insecticides influenced different growth parameters and yield attributing character of mustard and lead to higher seed yield. The response of Metasystox—R at 0.05% concentration was comparatively better for growth parameters and yield of Mustard giving maximum cost benefit ratio (CBR) followed by Dimethion and Fentro at comparable doses. Metasystox-R was evaluated as the most suitable insecticide for controlling mustard aphid