Evaluation of management tools for the control of poplar leaf defoliators (Lepidoptera: notodontidae) in northwestern India

Populus suffers from multiple insect damage throughout its distributional range in northwestern India. The evaluation of various management tools was done based on the hypothesis that manipulation of insect habitat can provide tangible results. Manipulation of cultural practices, ploughing of field during December, and growing of crops (wheat, Trifolium alexandrinum and others) results in lower adult emergence, reduced leaf infestation, number of larvae and pupae per meter branch length of poplar leaf defoliators (PLD). Fallow plantations were more prone to attack of PLD than intercropped plantations. Higher incidence of Clostera restitura was recorded in southwestern dry zones due to unsuitability of the site, poor quality of irrigation water and dry weather conditions. Complete stripping of Populus trees does not occur in low temperature &; high humidity, submountaneous zones of Punjab. Chemical control studies were conducted in laboratory &; field conditions, and among the five insecticides tested, Profenophos 50 EC, Quinalphos 25 EC and Carbaryl 50 WP @ 0.05 and 0.1 percent concentration gave consistently high mortality of PLD larvae up to 21 days after spraying. Use of insecticides prior to peak activity periods &; during evening hours enhances the efficiency of management options.