Clothianidin, a New Neonicotinoid Insecticide for the Management of Foliar Aphid Complex of Wheat in India and its Safety to Coccinellid Predators

Foliar aphid complex is becoming a major constraint of wheat production in India. The only option available to manage them is the use of insecticides. In this endeavor, the All India Coordinated Wheat and Barley Improvement Programme (AICW&BIP) has recommended traditional insecticides viz., dimethoate, oxydemeton methyl etc. Insecticide resistance and dearth of new molecules created a need to identify newer molecules for wheat aphid control. Recently, the neonicotinoids, viz., imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were recommended for the control of foliar aphids by the AICW&BIP. To broaden the base of these molecules, clothianidin, a new molecule, belonging to the neonicotinoids was evaluated at three locations viz., Ludhiana, Karnal and Niphad for two years. It was found that the new molecule was highly effective at 35 g/ha in controlling the foliar aphids and reducing the yield losses. The new molecule was found safe under field conditions but in vitro studies showed that it was relatively toxic to the coccine...