PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

A field-plot trial was conducted at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods of applying insecticides for controlling Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas on red pumpkin. Soil application of granular carbofuran (3% active ingredient) applied at the rate of either 1.1 kg/ha or 2.2 kg/ha resulted in 50% less leaf damage caused by adults A. foveicollia 70 days after germination. This method was superior to weekly spraying of carbaryl (85% wettable powder). Pumpkin seedlings grown on carbofuran treated soil suffered 58% (1.1 kg/ha) and 83% (2.2 kg/ha) less mortality 70 days after germination than seedlings which received weekly spraying of carbaryl. The results indicated that selective use of insecticide gave better control of insect pests; and is probably safe to the beneficial insects associated with the pest beetle. The suitability of soil application in the integrated pest management programme for A. foveicollis is discussed.