Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the susceptibility of the various larval stages of Euxoa messoria (Harris) in Ontario to four commercial preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner: Thuricide® 90TS, Thuricide®-HP, Biotrol® BTB 183, and Dipel. A field test was made to determine whether these preparations could be as effective as Dursban® (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate) for control of this species when applied on the rye cover crop in spring.
In laboratory tests first to third instar larvae that fed on rye leaves treated with all four B. thuringiensis preparations, were found to be susceptible regardless of the rates applied. Mortality of fourth to seventh instar larvae fed treated tobacco leaves was low. Thuricide 90TS and Biotrol BTB 183 as applied in the field for control of E. messoria populations were relatively ineffective as compared with Dursban.