Effect of Insecticides on Immature Stages of Cotesia plutellae Kurdj. (Hymenoptera; Braconidae), an Endo-Larval Parasitoid of Diamondback Moth

Thirteen insecticides were assayed for their toxicity to the immature stages of Cotesia plutellae Kurdj. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), when sprayed on parasitized diamondback moth larvae at various developmental stages of the parasitoid. With the advancement of age from 0 to 6 days after parasitization, the toxicity of insecticides was lower. NSKE, neemark, methomyl and acephate were fairly safe while fenvalerate, fipronil, spinosad, quinalphos and endosulfan were detrimental to all the stages of development showing zero per cent survival. In decreasing order, monocrotophos, cartap hydrochloride, lufenuron and thiodicarb were moderately toxic.