Evaluation of Poison Baits against Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) in Spinach

Choice tests were conducted under laboratory condition to standardize food bait using larvae of S. litura revealed the combination of rice bran + jaggery 20% + yeast 0.1% and rice bran + molasses 10% have proved best in attracting more larval populations. Efficacy of different combinations of poison baits was evaluated under field condition for the management of cutworm population in spinach. The jaggery based bait mixed with spinosad (rice bran + jaggery 20% + yeast 0.1% + spinosad @ 2.5ml/kg) proved best next to spinosad spray in reducing the larval population and leaf damage and thereby increased leaf yield over other baits and untreated control. Hence, jaggery based bait with spinosad may be recommended for management of cutworms in vegetable ecosystem.