Response of Mexican Corn Rootworm to Insecticides, 1991

Populations of MCR of commercial field corn from Arenal, Jalisco were exposed to nine insecticides of organophosphorous (OP), cabamate, organo chlorinated and pyrethroid groups. Larvae were collected from the roots of corn plants daily, and confined in polyethylene black bags of two kg capacity with humidity and germinated corn as food for larvae. Insects were taken to the laboratory of Sanidad Vegetal in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Dilutions of the insecticides tested were prepared using acetone from 500 to 5000 ppm (6 to 9 dosage/product). For this study 20 larvae of last instar were selected and 1 u, liter of the solution was placed topically on the thorax, after this, each larva was placed in a petri dish with a moistened paper towel and the petri dishes confined in a cardboard box to eliminate light. Mortality counts were carried out at 24 hours. Percent mortality was corrected by Abbott’s formula. The mortality data were analyzed by probit to obtain LC50 and LC,5 values for each insecticide.