1.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In completion of this project work, we wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr.

Suzan Benedick, Lecturer of Crop Pest Management Course, for providing us an opportunity to study the types of pesticides used in controlling Lepidoptera Family in Sandakan area as well as the pest control practiced by the farmers. Besides, we also wish to express our gratitude to the owners of pesticide shop, which is Permai Kimia Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. at mile 8, Sandakan who had rendered their help during the period of shop visiting. Last but not least, we wish to avail ourselves of this opportunity, express a sense of gratitude and love to our friends for their manual support, strength and their kind co-operation and encouragement which help in completion of this report. 2.0 OBJECTIVE The purpose of project work is to aid students in a better understanding on knowledge regarding to the type of pest as well as crop pest management practiced by the vegetable farms at Sandakan area. Moreover, this project had provided the students an opportunity to experience on the farming practices besides learning the theory on books. This is to ensure that we are learning theory and practice it practically. 3.0 INTRODUCTION In general, pesticides are referred as the chemicals, which is applied or used mainly in agricultural sector in order to control or eliminate the undesired moving organisms which are harmful to the crop plants and will definitely create a severe loss in the productivity in terms of quantity and quality. Pesticides are used widely and extensively in during the era of 'Green revolution', whereby all the agricultural people tend to boost the production level of the crop plants in order to meet the requirements and the demands of the increasing human population throughout the world. In our country, pesticides are applied as to prevent further damage and spoilage on the crop plants by the harmful insects, which are commonly known as pests. Under the pest categories, they are pests, which cause direct damage to the crop plants and pests that bring diseases to the crop plants. Different species of pests required different types of the pesticides to control as well as eliminate the pests. Until the modern 21st century, the use of pesticides is equipped with knowledge and workmanship in the application of pesticides. The use of pesticides and methods to control pests is more concern

on the Sabah state in our country since Sabah is the main agricultural state. Several crops including highland crops and lowland crops can be found planted in Sabah by the local farmers or under the surveillance of big organization and corporation. One of the pests, which can be found in most agricultural fields in tropical weather such as Sabah, one of the state of our country, is the insects which are classified under the Lepidoptera family. Not only in Sabah, but insects or pests under the Lepidoptera family, which consists of butterflies and moths are the most widespread and widely recognizable pests worldwide, in every agricultural field. Each of the Lepidoptera species is vary depending on the surrounding environment factors. Lepidoptera species have common characteristics in which they are characterized by the present of scales, which cover their bodies and wings. Most of the Lepidoptera species have membraneous wings. They undergo complete metamorphosis in which there are complete stages from larvae to adult form. 3.1 SCENARIO IN SANDAKAN In Sabah, the pesticides used in controlling the butterflies and moths are consists of Bacillus thuringiensis, neem, Emamectin Benzoate and organophosphate. Bacillus thuringiensis, and neem are classified under biopesticides which may not cause severe harm to the surrounding pesticide, whereas the Emamectin Benzoate and Organophosphate are classified under chemical pesticides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an insecticidal bacterium. It is used worldwide in controlling the numbers of catepillars of the Lepidoptera. Bt pesticides have contents of mixture of dried spores and insecticidal protein toxin crystals. They are applied to the leaves or other environments where the larvae of the Lepidoptera feed. The crystals are aggregates of large protein which in actual, is known as a protoxin. Protoxin must be activated before it has any effect. The crystal protein is highly insoluble in normal condition, so it is entirely safe for humans and other insects. However, it is solubilized in reducing condition of high pH value at about 9.5. This condition can be commonly found in the midgut of the lepidoptera larvae. Due to this effect, Bt pesticides are highly specific insecticidal agent. Once the toxic crystal has been solubilized in the insecct gut, the protoxin will be switched to active toxin by enzyme known as protease. This active toxin called deltaendotoxin will bind to the cells of the larvae, creating pores in the cell membranes and leading to equibration of ions. At the end, the bacterium can invade the larvae, causing a lethal septicaemia due to the lowering of the pH in the mid-gut of the lepidoptera larvae.

Neem-based insecticides or pesticides can be used in control the diamondback moth which is classified under the lepidoptera family. There are three commercial of neem-based pesticides, they are Agroneem, Ecozin and Neemix. These three insecticides are evaluated for the oviposition deterrence, antifeedant effect to larvae and toxicity to the eggs of the diamond back moth. Neem-based insecticides contain azadirachtin which is derived from the extracts of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, have a roles in protecting crops from the diamondback moth. The neem-based insecticides have to be applied as early as possible where the insects lay their eggs. Neem-based insecticides are toxic to all larval instars and all the larvae will die before pupation stage takes place. Emamectin Benzoate is a novel semi-synthetic insecticide that is derived from a natural fermentation product known as avermectin B. Scientifically; it is highly toxic to a broad range of Lepidoptera species even at a low concentration. The primary route of the intoxication in Lepidoptera larvae is through the process of ingestion. The avermectins act by disrupting the nerve impulses of the larvae by a unique mode of action. The Lepidoptera larvae characteristically stop feeding on the crop plant shortly after ingestion of the emamectin benzoate and become irreversibly paralyzed. The maximum mortality usually occurs within four days after the ingestion. The residues of the remaining emamectin benzoate which remain on the plant surface will rapidly photodegrade when expose to the sunlight, so there is a minimal exposure of this chemical to the beneficial arthropods or other beneficial insects to the crop plants. Organophosphate insecticides have long predominated for insects control in agriculture. This insecticides have broad spectrum of activity against Lepidoptera species. They are moderate to the long environental persistence and some have systemic activity. These kinds of pesticides act as inhibitors of cholinesterase, which is used in the nerve transmission of the insects. The impacts of the organophosphate insecticides have also occur in non-target organism on wildlife, thus this resulted in dramatic restriction in the extensive use of organophosphate in many agricultural fields. 4.0 4.1 METHODOLOGY First Stage: Searching for Pesticide Shop The Pesticides Shop in Sandakan area were observed. Surveys had been done through surfing the net. Therefore, we found that there are many pesticides shop located at mile 8 area in sandakan. We went to the shop twice by bus. At the first time, we had met

one of the shop owners and tried to make an appointment for interview. The owner of the shop is Mr. Choo. After the date of interview was set, we had discussed among the group regarding the questions assigned for the pesticide shop owner on type of pestcides used in controlling Lepidoptera pest. 4.2 Second Stage: Collecting Information On 20th April 2012, we had applied transport from school and went to the shop for second time. Mr.Choo had guided us on visiting to his pesticide shop. He had shown us with various types of pesticides used by the farmers at sandakan area. Furthermore, he also explained the effect of pesticides used on the Lepidoptera pests. Through his narration also, we had learnt the types of pesticides used, knowledge on application rate of pesticides used, common pest of Lepidoptera family as well as other pest control methods utilized in the farm at sandakan area. Besides, information on chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers utilized in the pesticide shop was collected and studied.

5.0 5.1

TYPES OF PESTICIDES USED AT SANDAKAN FEZMET

Form Class Chemical group Common name Trade name Chemical name Active ingredients

: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) : Class II : Organophosphate : Fezmet : FEZMET 40, Rogor L-40, Tamet 40 : 2-dimethoxyphoshinothioythio-N-methylacetamide : Dimethoate

Manufacturers name : Zagro Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. Mode of action Uses : Systemic : It is used for control a wide range of Acari, Aphididae, Aleyrodidea, Coccidea, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, and Lepidoptera The recommended rate of application for Lepidoptera: Rate of application 10 litre of water 9 ml One hectare 0.8 liter Spray at the interval of 2 weeks. Do not spray more than 2 times in one season. Note

5.2

ACTELLIC

Form Class Chemical group Common name Trade name Chemical name

: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) : Class II : Organophosphate : Pirimiphos-methyl : ACTELLIC : 0-[2-(diethylamino)-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl]0, 0dimethylphosphorothioate

Active ingredients

: Pirimiphos-methyl

Manufacturers name : Syngenta Group Company Mode of action Uses : Non-Systemic : it is used for control Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.

The recommended rate of application for Lepidoptera: Rate of application 10 litre of water 9 ml One hectare 0.8 liter Spray at the interval of 2 weeks. Do not spray more than 2 times in one season. Note

5.3

DIPEL ES

Form Class Chemical group Common name Trade name Chemical name Active ingredients

: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) : Class IV : Btk 11B2 : Bacillus Thuringiensis : Dipel ES : N/A : Bacillus Thuringiensis, Subsp. kurstaki

Manufacturers name : Halex (M) Sdn. Bhd. Mode of action Uses : Systemic : it is used for control most Lepidopteran

The recommended rate of application for Lepidoptera: Rate of application 10 litre of water 17ml One hectare 1020 ml Spray volume per hectare 600 L Stage It can be sprayed 4 times in a season.

5.4

RIPCORD 505

Form Class Chemical group Common name Trade name Chemical name Active ingredients

: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) : Class III : Pyrethroid : Cypermethrin : Ripcord 505 : 2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (IUPAC) : Cypermethrin

Manufacturers name : BASF (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Mode of action Uses : Systemic : it is used for control most Lepidopteran

The recommended rate of application for Lepidoptera: Rate of application 10 litre of water 17ml One hectare 1020 ml Spray volume per Stage hectare 600 L It can be sprayed 4 times in a season.

5.5

SHIELDMATE 2.8 EC

Form Class Chemical group Common name Trade name Chemical name

: Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) : Class IV : Pyrethroid : Deltamethrin : Shieldmate 2.8 EC, Butox, Butoflin : (s)- -cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R)-cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate

Active ingredients

: Deltamethrin

Manufacturers name : Hextar Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. Mode of action Uses : Contact and ingestion : It is used for control aphids, bugs and some Lepidopteran

6.0

FACTORS

RELATED

TO

PESTICIDE

CALIBRATION

APPLICATION

AT

SANDAKAN According to Mr.Choo, whom is the pesticide shop owner at Mile 8, the pesticide application on field needs calibration. The ultimate purposes for calibration are intended to reduce the wastage of pesticide and pollution caused by the excess pesticides. As an important agriculture input to increase crops yield from pest damage, pesticides themselves may also causing adverse effects on the crops when the pesticide user did not followed the instruction given on the label. The overdose or insufficient of pesticide dose resulted in different effect, the former one caused pollution, pesticide poisoning symptoms like vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, and respiratory problems in spray man, dying of soil microbes, vanish of beneficial organisms, and even food poison to the consumers. In contrast, insufficient dose will cause inefficiency in pest control and suppress effect and loss on crop yield and farmers income. Hence, the four factors that related to the calibration of pesticide application which comprised of the suggested application rate of pesticide in kg/l per hectare, amount of solvent for spraying per hectare, percentage of active ingredient (A.I.) in commercial formulation, and lastly, area to be treated in hectare needed to be calculated before application of pesticide. 6.1 Suggested application rate of pesticide in kg/l per hectare Based on the explanation and advices by Mr.Choo, the application rate of pesticide in kg/l per hectare is the data that provide optimum pest suppression effects based on experiments. Normally, he emphasize that the suggested application rate give the suitable amount of pesticide to use that minimize the negative adverse effected on ecology, environment and human. Hence, the suggested application rate is important to conserve our land, water and biodiversity. With application of optimum rate of pesticide, less probability for pest infestation, less environmental pollution, and save more money, which is through the reduction amount of the pesticide used per spraying. Besides, the suggested application rate also indicates the amount of pesticide need per hectare to perform it strength best. The decrement from suggested application rate will results in pesticide ineffectiveness on pest population suppression.

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6.2

Amount of solvent for spraying per hectare Amount of solvent need to dissolve concentrated pesticide should calculate to

maintain the pesticide effectiveness on pest control. Pesticide work best when dissolved in optimum amount of solvent. For instance, the excess solvent with little of pesticide cannot suppress the pest population. The inert material in pesticide is the carrier for active ingredients to express it function. When the solvent is in excess, the A.I. and inert material will decrease. Thus, there will not be enough need carrier and A.I. to work on pest infected area. In a nutshell, the pesticide should be mixed with solvent according to label for optimum effectiveness on pest control. 6.3 Percentage of active ingredient in commercial formulation The pesticide may come in enormous of different brands but with same active ingredients. Active ingredient determines the mode of action and the types of pest the pesticide targeted. Sometime, the active ingredient is the same for pesticide with different trade name. The difference between them is the concentration of active ingredient within the pesticides. First one may has higher concentration while second one has lower concentration of same active ingredient. The percentage of active ingredient in commercial formulation is vital. This determines the selling price, the effectiveness of pesticides and the amount of pesticide to be mixed with solvent. Normally, the pesticide of same active ingredient with higher A.I. sell more expensive compared to the others with low concentration. The amount needed to mix with solvent during preparation of pesticide also less and more effective in pest control as compared to low concentration pesticide of same volume. Therefore, the percentage of active ingredient is important to be known before purchasing pesticide to prevent waste of money (when mixing same amount of higher concentration pesticide as previous used low concentration pesticide), solvent wastage, and the effectiveness is affected because the pesticide did not mix with suitable solvent for optimum performances.

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6.4

Area to be treated in hectare Making an assumption or estimation on the area required to be treated with pesticide

is important. The area was count in hectare and then the workers could prepare pesticide according to need. Therefore, the wastage of pesticide, pollution, and overdose on particular area can be avoided. For example, when the pesticide cannot be finished after all vegetation area had been sprayed, a worker may pour the pesticide into drain or anywhere, thus; the pesticide is wasted and pollution may caused to the nearby water bodies or land. Furthermore, the overdose on particular area may happen when the worker thinks pour away the excess pesticides is a form of wastage and they spray the remained pesticide on treated area. This condition result in overdose in area and killed the beneficial organism and some crop. In long term, this may cause resurgence of pest that had developed resistance to certain types of pesticide. 7.0 7.1 CONCLUSION Suggestion and Recommendation Most farmers, in order to get instant cure and prevention would apply chemical and synthetic pesticides on their crops. Thankfully now, farmers and crop producers are getting aware of the negative effects brought by those chemicals. In practicing organic (non-chemical) pest control practice, handpicking can often adequately control caterpillars, best done in the morning and evening where the caterpillars are most active. Some like cutworms are best picked in the dark. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) works quickly to kill them. The use of predators, parasitic flies and parasitic wasps are very useful. Meanwhile, sustainable agriculture recommends interplanting (intercropping)

techniques are also useful to confuse moths by making the environment more complex and less favourable for pest.

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8.0 8.1

REFERENCES Abdullah, A. R. 2002. Pesticide Residues in Coastal Tropical Ecosystems. Kota Kinabalu: CRC Press .

8.2

Grafton-Cardwell. 2005. Various novel insecticides are less toxic to humans, more specific to key pests. California Agriculture , 29-34.

8.3

Jipanin, J. 2001. Management of Pesticide Use On Vegetable Production.Tuaran: 6th SITE Research Seminar.

8.4

Liang, G.-M. 2003. Effects of three neem-based insecticides on diamondback moth.

Crop Protection , 333-340.

8.5 Lpez, J. D. 2005. Effect of emamectin benzoate on mortality. Journal of Insect

Science , 57-64.

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