The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is the main pest of corn in Brazil and the use of synthetic insecticides is the most commonly applied method to its control. Thus, searching for efficient and low environment impact alternatives, commercial formulations of the neem Natuneem® (10mL L-1 in 2005 and 15mL L-1 in 2006) and Neemseto® (5 and 10mL L-1 in 2005, and 10 and 15mL L-1 in 2006) and biological insecticide Bta Xentari® (10g L-1 in 2005 and 2006) applied at 15, 30 and 45 and at 15, 25 and 35 days after plant emerge in 2005 and 2006, respectively, were tested. Evaluations consisted of using a scale of foliar injury from 0 to 5 r before each spray. In 2005, only Neemseto® 10mL L-1 was efficient at 30 days. In 2006, Neemseto® 15mL L-1 and Bta Xentari® with average score of 0.93 and 0.98, respectively, were different from control with score of 2.38 at 35 days. At greenhouse corn plants were treated with Natuneem®, Neemseto® and Xentari® insecticides followed by artificial infestation with newly-hatched larvae. After 10 days, it was verified that treatment were equally efficient, differing from the control, regarding to the injury score, as well as, the number of surviving worms.
Meliaceae; fall armyworm; botanical insecticide; bioinsecticide; MIP
