Efficiency of the stored locust and grasshopper insecticides in Egypt on Catantops axillaris thunberg,orthoptera:acrididae, under the field conditions of Baharia oasis

The chemical insecticides still the most effective controlling agent against the heavy plagues of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria and the other locust species. The affected countries with these insects used to keep sufficient amounts of the recommended insecticides by food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for many years in their stores to protect their Agricultural economy from damage by locust plagues. These stocks have to be re-evaluated annually to insure their efficiency against locust. Therefore, the present study was carried out in Baharia Oasis to re-evaluate the efficient of some insecticidies formulations against the most predomenent Acrididae member, the Grasshopper Catantops axillaris in August, 2008. The tested insecticides were, ultra low volume (ULV) formulations of the organophosphorous chlorpyrifos 45% (Bestban and Briban), pyritheroide Deltamethrin 1.25% emulsifable concentrate (EC) formulation of the organophosphate Malathion 57% (Malatox) and, ULV formulation, Green Muscles, of the fungus, Metarhizium flavoviride. The recommended doses of FAO 8th meeting of pesticide Referee group, 1999 were used . The samples of the tested insecticides were obtained from the insecticides store of the General Directorate for locust and grasshoppers control in Baharia Oasis. Green Muscles oil formulation sample was a gift from FAO project in Locust and Grasshopper Research Department, Plant protection Res. Institute, Agriculture Res. Center, Ministry of Agric., Egypt. The obtained results indicated that, Deltamethrin and Bestiban insecticides were the most effective ones against C. axillaris, followed by a moderate effect of Briban. The EC Malatox exihibited high efficiency only during the first 3 days of the application. The micoinsecticide Green Muscles lasted 7 days to induce its lethal effect, reaching its maximum effect after 9 days. Thus, it could be concluded that, the oil ULV insecticides have to be used only against locust in the desert and non-edible crops areas, but EC organophosphorous insecticides are preferred to use against locusts and Grasshoppers on the edible crops and cultivated area. Green Muscles could be used against the low density populations of the immature stages of these insects without treating non-target arthropods other than orthopterans. The ULV formulation stock of Chlopyrifos 45%, Briban have to be renewed. Moreover, the present field study drew the attention to reevaluating the ground sprayers periodically as well as the stored Locust and Grasshoppers insecticides.