Controlling Cotton Leafhoppers: Methods and Recommendations

Cotton leafhoppers, scientifically known as Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida), are a significant concern for cotton, okra, and brinjal crops in many parts of India. They have particularly become a serious problem for Bt cotton, as they have developed resistance to several commonly used insecticides. Both nymphs and adults of the cotton leafhoppers extract sap from the leaves, leading to hopper burn, leaf drying, and stunted growth. This informative write-up explores various methods and recommendations for effectively managing cotton leafhopper infestations.

Methods for Controlling Cotton Leafhoppers:

• Planting resistant varieties: Utilize cotton varieties that exhibit resistance to cotton leafhoppers, reducing the reliance on chemical control methods.
• Crop rotation: Rotate cotton with non-host crops to disrupt the life cycle of the pests.
• Crop residue management: Destroy crop residues after harvest, as cotton leafhoppers overwinter in these residues. By eliminating their overwintering sites, the population can be reduced.

• Predatory insects and spiders: Encourage the presence of natural enemies, such as predatory insects and spiders, which feed on cotton leafhoppers and help regulate their population.
• Entomopathogenic nematodes: Consider using entomopathogenic nematodes, microscopic worms that parasitize and kill cotton leafhoppers. They have shown promise as a biological control agent.

• Insecticides: Insecticides can be used to kill cotton leafhoppers. However, it is crucial to exercise caution and follow proper application techniques, as these chemicals may also harm beneficial insects.
• Insecticide resistance management: Rotate insecticides and use them judiciously to prevent the development of resistance in cotton leafhoppers.

Additional Tips for Effective Control:

1. Regular crop inspection: Regularly monitor your crops to identify cotton leafhopper infestations at an early stage when they are easier to manage.
2. Timely insecticide application: Apply insecticides when cotton leafhoppers are young and actively feeding for maximum effectiveness.
3. Correct dosage: Ensure the appropriate dosage of insecticides is used to avoid environmental harm and minimize damage to beneficial insects.
4. Follow label instructions: Adhere to the instructions provided on the insecticide labels to ensure safe and effective usage.

Recommended Pesticide Combinations and Brands: Here are some pesticide combinations and brands that are recommended for controlling cotton leafhoppers:

• Acephate 50% + Bifenthrin 10% WDG
• Acephate 50% + Imidacloprid 1.8% SP
• Acetamiprid 1.1% + Cypermethrin 5.5% EC
• Cypermethrin 10% + Indoxacarb 10% w/w SC
• Cypermethrin 3% + Quinalphos 20% EC
• Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC
• Fipronil 4% + Acetamiprid 4% W/W
• Indoxacarb 14.5% + Acetamiprid 7.7% w/w SC
• Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC
• Cypermethrin 10% + Indoxacarb 10% SC

Recommended pesticide brands include:

• Tremor 75 SP-Biostadt
• Miltap-IIL
• ACETOX-HPM
• Asataf-TATA Rallis
• Killer-National
• Acemain-Adama
• Sritaf-Crystal
• Arystaprid-UPL
• Manik-TATA Rallis
• Sharp-IIL
• Dhanpreet-Dhanuka
• Rider-Biostadt
• Wapkil 20 SP-Biostadt
• BAADSHAH-HPM
• Rapid-Crystal
• Excel Acetacel & Passion-sumitomo
• Harrier-Adama
• Prime-National
• NEEMONA-HPM
• Bupro-National
• Flotis-Bayer
• APPLAUD-TATA Rallis
• Phentom-IIL
• Apple-Dhanuka
• Banzo-Biostadt
• Sprize-Biostadt
• APOLLO-HPM
• Bipimain-Adama
• Badshah-Toshi
• Tribune-Crystal
• Sevin
• Advantage-FMC
• Dantotsu & Dantop-Sumitomo
• Super fighter-IIL
• Superkiller-Dhanuka
• Auzar 25 EC-Biostadt
• CYPERHIT-25-HPM
• COLT-PII
• Cyper 25-National
• Whitegold-sumitomo
• Python-Toshi
• Smash-Biostadt
• RISE PLUS-HPM
• Derby-Biostadt
• Ingage-Biostadt
• Logo-IIL
• Gama-IIL
• Pager-Dhanuka
• RISE-HPM
• Poloron-National
• Agas-Adama
• Mainstar-Adama
• EAGLE-HPM
• Award & Zoy & Zoy Agzact-sumitomo
• Domar-Dhanuka
• Oshin 20 SG-Biostadt
• OSHEEN-PII
• Ossum-Biostadt
• FENHIT-HPM
• Sumicidin-sumitomo
• Fencidine-National
• Regent-Bayer
• Task SC (NACL)
• Crigent SC
• Agadi SC (Maktheshim Agan)
• Fax SC (Dhanuka)
• Salvo SC (SWAL)
• Jaanbaaz SC (Biostadt)
• Stargazette SC (SWAL)
• Stalker SC (Indofil)
• Sargent SC (IIL)
• Ulala-UPL
• Marvik
• Intice-Biostadt
• Admire-Bayer
• Vector plus-IIL
• Ad-fyre-Dhanuka
• GHAJINI-HPM
• Looper-Crystal
• Dzire & M-con WG-sumitomo
• Cohigan WG-Adama
• Creta-Toshi
• HI-IMIDA FS-HPM
• Gaucho-Bayer
• IMD-70-Katyayani
• M-con super-sumitomo
• Vector super-IIL
• Media Super-Dhanuka
• Tatter-Toshi
• SUPER IMIDA-HPM
• Imidacel Super-sumitomo
• ConfidorSuper-Bayer
• Ultimo Super-Biostadt
• M-con & Imidacel-sumitomo
• Tatamida-TATA Rallis
• Vector-IIL
• Ultimo-Biostadt
• Imidagold-UPL
• Media-Dhanuka
• JUMBO-PII
• Confidence 555-Crystal
• Conimida-National