This study was carried out in the field to evaluate the efficacy of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) mixed with the postemergence herbicides acifluorfen-sodium (Blazer), bentazon (Basagran), chlorimuron-ethyl (Classic), fluazifop-p-butil (Fuzilade), haloxyfop-methyl (Verdict), fomesafen (Flex), lactofen (Cobra) and imazethapyr (Pivot), to control of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). The NPV was tested at 1.7 x 1011 polyhedron inclusion bodies/hectare, while the herbicides were applied at recommended doses for controlling weeds in soybean fields. A completely randomized block design with four replicates was used; each plot consisted of 48 m². Evaluations of caterpillars either infected or non-infected by NPV were made at eight days after spraying. All treatments with NPV plus herbicides reduced significantly the population of velvetbean caterpillar, and did not differ from the treatment where the NPV was sprayed alone.
Insecta; velvetbean caterpillar; VPNg
