Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part I (2025)

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2023 on cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) at the College of Agriculture, Badnapur, under the Department of Entomology, VNMKV, Parbhani. The study aimed to (1) identify major natural enemies of cabbage insect pests, (2) evaluate the efficacy of bio-pesticides against major insect pests, and (3) validate the biosafety of bio-pesticides towards natural enemies. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and three replications.

Four natural enemies were recorded two parasitoids (Braconid and Tachinid fly) and two predators (ladybird beetle and syrphid fly) with peak activity during the 46th-49th SMW. Major pest populations varied from 0-7 larvae per plant for leaf webber, head borer, DBM, and tobacco caterpillar, while aphids ranged from 3.03-18.2 per three leaves. Among bio-rational treatments, Bacillus thuringiensis 5% WP (10 g/10 L) was most effective against leaf webber and DBM, followed by NSKE 5% and Azadirachtin 0.03 EC. The highest cabbage yield (169.68 q/ha) and ICBR (1:60.73) were obtained with B. thuringiensis treatment. All bio-pesticides were found safe for natural enemies. The study concludes that B. thuringiensis, Azadirachtin, and NSKE are effective and eco-friendly options for managing cabbage pests under field conditions.