Tar Oil Formulation as 95 % Soluble Concentrate and Evaluation of Its Insecticidal Efficacy against Cotton Leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis and Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The research was done on tar oil's physical characteristics. It showed that soluble concentrate was the best formulation in which it could be prepared. Its formulation as a 95% soluble concentrate followed standard soluble concentrate formulation procedures. The novel formulation was subsequently subjected to testing using solution concentrates test procedures outlined by the WHO, FAO, and CIPAC. It successfully completed all tests specified. In the lab, the cotton leafworm and cutworm were used to test the novel formula biologically. It had a noticeable impact on the first instar larvae of the two pests under research, however, cotton leafworm was more affected than cutworm since its LC50 was lower (0.5446 ppm as opposed to 1.9029 ppm for cutworm). Additionally, the novel formulations' toxicity and latent effect against cotton leafworm first instar larvae increased with higher concentrations tested as well as longer periods of feeding on the treated leaves. Furthermore, its impact on the developmental stages was also examined; results revealed an inverse association between concentration and pupation percentage, and a direct relationship between malformation and death percentage with the concentration used. The cutworm was more responsive to the new formulation than the cotton leafworm, according to the latent effect investigation. After further necessary investigations are finished, the new tar oil 95% soluble concentrate formulation may be employed to control either cutworm, cotton leafworm, or both.