Dr. Frank Arthur Research Entomologist Stored Product Insect Research Unit Center for Grain & Animal Health Research 1515 College Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502 Voice: (785) 776-2783 Fax: (785) 537-5584 frank.arthur@ars.usda.gov www.ars.usda.gov/npa/cgahr/spiru/arthur

Frank Arthur received his Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State University in December 1985. He joined the staff of the Stored Product Insects Research and Development Laboratory at Savannah, GA in March 1986, and was transferred to the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research upon closure of the Savannah Laboratory in November 1994. He is responsible for developing applied research programs for insect pest management in stored cereal grains and processed food warehouses. Previous studies have included pesticide degradation on stored commodities, residual efficacy of insecticides applied to different substrates, evaluation of new chemicals for use in post-harvest environments, and expanded use of aeration to control insect pests in stored grains. Current research interests are the development of aeration management strategies for crops stored in different geographic regions, evaluation of microbial pathogens for use in raw grains or on surface substrates, identification of physical and environmental factors that affect the efficacy of residual insecticides, and simulated field studies involving chemical and non-chemical controls. Research projects often involve cooperative efforts with private industry, other entomologists at the Manhattan laboratory, research and extension entomologists at various state universities, and biologists associated with the U. S. Military.

Directional Flow of Aeration to Manage Insect Pests in Stored Wheat
Using low-volume ambient air to cool stored grain is a common management practice in the southern plains, but little research has been done recently to determine if the direction of airflow makes a difference regarding the cooling and insect pest populations. We conducted a 2-year study at the USDA ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research (CGAHR), using 1,000 bushel metal storage bins filled with wheat. We evaluated suction aeration, pulling air downward through the grain mass, as compared to pressure aeration, the standard strategy of pushing cool air upward through the grain mass. Results were consistent each of the two years and showed that temperatures on the upper surface of the grain mass were consistently cooler with suction aeration than with pressure aeration. The resulting insect pest populations were also generally lower in the bins with suction versus pressure aeration. Our results indicated that using suction aeration would cool the upper surface zone of the grain mass, which is vulnerable to insect infestation, and could reduce the need for additional pesticide inputs through this reduction in pest pressure.

The results of the previous study are promising and warrant further investigation in larger bins. A new study has been initiated to examine temperature gradients in the headspace zone of wheat storage bins with pressure versus suction aeration, and to determine the extent of the interactions between the headspace temperatures and those in the upper surface zone of the bulk grain mass. Studies are being conducted at the CGAHR, this time using 4,000 bushel bins. The first year has been completed, and results are similar to the earlier study in that more insects are found in the bins with pressure aeration compared to the bins with suction aeration. Headspace temperature patterns are different with the two aeration methods, and even with the larger bins the surface zone of the wheat appears to be cooler with suction aeration compared to pressure aeration.

Efficacy of pyriproxyfen for control of stored-product psocids (Psocoptera) on concrete surfaces

Psocids (insects which are also called booklice) are pests of stored grains and grain products in most of the world, and they have natural tolerance to some of the insecticides used for control of stored-product insects. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative treatments for their control. We evaluated the insecticide pyriproxyfen, which is a newly registered insect growth regulator with low mammalian toxicity, for control of three stored-product psocid pests on concrete surfaces, which are typical of flooring in flour mills and warehouses. Exposure to pyriproxyfen reduced the numbers of all three species of psocids. The presence of food, either treated or not with pyriproxyfen, generally did not affect effectiveness of the insecticide. However, numbers of progeny generally were lower when psocids were placed on the concrete surface before it was treated with pyriproxyfen compared to being placed on the concrete surface after treatment. Few adults of any species were found in the pyriproxyfen treatments. The results indicate that pyriproxyfen is effective for control of the psocids Liposcelis bostrychophila, L. decolor, and L. paeta on concrete, although complete control was rarely achieved, and this warrants further long-term study to determine if pyriproxyfen can completely eliminate psocid populations over time.
     

Effect of methoprene on the progeny production of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) affect growth and development of immature insects, and may also produce sub-lethal effects such as a reduction in number of eggs laid by adults. In this test, larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, a major pest of stored products, were exposed on wheat treated with the IGR methoprene. Exposure of adults produced little effect on subsequent reproduction of those adults. However, male larvae that were exposed to the treated wheat were more susceptible than female larvae with generally lower adult emergence in exposed male larvae compared to exposed female larvae. In addition, males that survived to the adult stage and were paired with unexposed females generally produced fewer offspring than unexposed males paired with unexposed females. Results show that sub-lethal effects caused by an IGR could contribute to overall population reductions from insecticidal treatments.
     

Efficacy of heat treatment for disinfestation of concrete grain silos

Heat treatments are being used to disinfest flour mills but there is no information on the utility of this technique to disinfest empty grain silos. We conducted field trials by placing live lesser grain borers, red flour beetles, or two psocid species inside containers with wheat and/or flour media and suspending those containers at different heights inside empty silos. Propane heat was generated from commercial equipment and introduced into the bottom of the silos. When temperatures exceeded 122°F for at least 6 hours, complete mortality of all insects and life stages generally occurred. The wheat inside the containers did provide some insulating effect from the heat. The lesser grain borer was more heat-tolerant than the red flour beetle, and one of the psocid species was more tolerant than the other. Most of the insect survival occurred in the containers that were in the top or midpoints of the silos. Results show heat could be used to disinfest empty silos, but cleaning and sanitation prior to heat treatment might be necessary to maximize effectiveness.
     

Residual efficacy of synergized pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol against larvae of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Combinations of the insecticide pyrethrin combined with the insect growth regulator methoprene (Diacon II®) are used as aerosol insecticides to control the red flour beetle and the confused flour beetle in flour mills. However, there is little information on how long the residues from an aerosol application will give control of either of these two important pest species. We placed wheat flour or packaging materials inside a flour mill and exposed them to commercial aerosol formulations containing either 1% or 3% pyrethrin with the same amount of methoprene. Then, for each of two weeks for 16 weeks, we put larvae of the red flour beetle and confused flour beetle on the flour and packaging materials. Control was determined by whether or not the larvae could reach the adult stage. Both commercial formulations gave complete control of red flour beetles on all surfaces for 16 weeks, but on all surfaces the residues were less active against the confused flour beetle, and more of the larvae were able to reach the adult stage compared to the red flour beetle. Increasing the pyrethrin concentration from 1% to 3% did lead to a reduction in the number of confused flour beetle adults, indicating there may be an interaction between the pyrethrin and methoprene components of the formulation. The formulation with 1% pyrethrin will control the red four beetle, while the 3% pyrethrin formulation is needed to control the confused flour beetle.
     

Food source provisioning and susceptibility of immature and adult Tribolium castaneum on concrete partially treated with chlorfenapyr (Phantom®)

A new insecticide, Phantom®, will kill the red flour beetle, a major pest of stored products, but there is no information on how well it will work when food is present. We exposed adult red flour beetles, and also larvae and pupae, on a concrete surface that was partially treated with Phantom®. Food (flour) was put in the untreated area of the concrete. Some adults were able to escape insecticide exposure and lay eggs in the flour. Larvae were more susceptible than adults and usually died before they could reach the adult stage, even if they reached the flour. Residual control of larvae lasted for several weeks. Results show mobile adults could escape exposure to Phantom®, but the larvae could not and were therefore more susceptible to the insecticide.
     

Lethal and sub-lethal effects from short-term exposure of Rhyzopertha dominica on wheat treated with Storicide II®

When pest insects are exposed on treated stored grains, mortality may not immediately occur. A study was conducted by exposing adult male and female lesser grain borers on stored wheat treated with different concentrations of the insecticide Storicide II®, for different time periods, and then transferring them to untreated wheat. At the lower concentrations or shorter exposure times, the parent beetles survived exposure, females were less susceptible than males, and they were able to produce offspring on the untreated wheat. As the concentration and/or exposure time increased, the exposed parent beetles died and the production of offspring declined, indicating that death occurred before mating or egg-laying. Results show males may be more susceptible to Storicide II® than females, and there may be a delayed mortality effect on the exposed parental adults that will affect production of offspring.
     

Efficacy of Aerosols for Managing the Red Flour Beetle

Pest management professionals commonly utilize aerosolized liquid applications, also known as fogging, for management of stored-product insects including the red flour beetle.These applications are part of a potential methyl bromide replacement technology because they may increase the time interval between structural fumigations or heat treatments. The objectives of this study were to examine influence of flour accumulation, exposure location, life stage, and insecticide on the efficacy of aerosol applications. Data show that aerosolized insecticide applications in dishes without food residues placed in the open produced the highest red flour beetle mortality. Conversely, mortality significantly decreased with food and exposure under pallets.
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PDF	Arthur, F.H., G.O. Ondier, and T.J. Siebenmorgen. 2012. Impact of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) on quality parameters of milled rice. J. Stored Prod. Res. 48: 137-142.
PDF	Fontenot, E.A., F.H. Arthur, J.R. Nechols, and J.E Throne. 2012. Using a population growth model to simulate response of Plodia interpunctella Hübner to temperature and diet. J. Pest Sci. 85: 163-167.
PDF	Kavallieratos, N.G., C.G. Athanassiou, F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2012. Lesser grain borers, Rhyzopertha dominica, select rough rice kernels with cracked hulls for reproduction. J. Insect Sci. 12(38), 7 pp.
PDF	Wijayaratne, L.K.W., P.G. Fields, and F.H. Arthur. 2012. Residual efficacy of methoprene for control of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae at different temperatures on varnished wood, concrete, and wheat. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 718-725.
PDF	Wijayaratne, L.K.W., P.G. Fields, and F.H. Arthur. 2012. Effect of methoprene on the progeny production of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Pest Manag. Sci. 68: 217-224.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., E.A. Fontenot, and J.F. Campbell. 2011. Evaluation of catmint oil and hydrogenated catmint oil as repellents for the flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. J. Insect Sci. 11: 128.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., Y. Yang and L.T. Wilson. 2011. Use of a web-based model for aeration management in stored rough rice. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 702-708.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2011. Efficacy of layer treatment with methoprene for control of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) on wheat, rice and maize. Pest Manag. Sci. 67: 380-384.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, N.G. Kavallieratos, and J.E. Throne. 2011. Efficacy of pyriproxyfen for control of stored-product psocids (Psocoptera) on concrete surfaces. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1765-1769.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, N.G. Kavallieratos, and J.E. Throne. 2011. Efficacy of spinosad and methoprene, applied alone or in combination, against six stored-product insect species. J. Pest Sci. 84: 61-67.
PDF	Opit, G.P., F.H. Arthur, E.L. Bonjour, C.L. Jones, and T.W. Phillips. 2011. Efficacy of heat treatment for disinfestation of concrete grain silos. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1416-1422.
PDF	Sutton, A.E., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, J.F. Campbell, and L.W. Murray. 2011. Residual efficacy of synergized pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol against larvae of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 47: 399-406.
PDF	Arthur, F.H. 2010. Stored product entomology in the United States: perspectives for the future. Am. Entomol. 56: 218-220.
	Arthur, F.H. 2010. Residual efficacy of aerosols to control Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. In M.O. Carvalho et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, 27 June to 2 July 2010, Estoril, Portugal. Julius Kühn-Institut, Berlin, Germany. pp. 789-792. (Link to article *)
PDF	Arthur, F.H., and M.E. Casada. 2010. Directional flow of summer aeration to manage insect pests in stored wheat. Appl. Eng. Agric. 26: 115-122.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2010. Efficacy of methoprene for control of five species of psocids (Psocoptera) on wheat, rice, and maize. J. Food Prot. 73: 2244-2249.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2010. Effects of short exposures to spinosad-treated wheat or maize on four stored-grain insects. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 197-202.
	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, J.E. Throne, G.P. Opit, M.M. Hasan, M.J. Aikins, T.W. Phillips, and N.G. Kavallieratos. 2010. Efficacy of insecticides for control of stored-product psocids. In M.O. Carvalho et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, 27 June to 2 July 2010, Estoril, Portugal. Julius Kühn-Institut, Berlin, Germany. pp. 805-814. (Link to article *)
Available at NAL DR	Campbell, J.F., M.D. Toews, F.H. Arthur, and R.T. Arbogast. 2010. Structural fumigation efficacy against Tribolium castaneum in flour mills. In M.O. Carvalho et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, 27 June to 2 July 2010, Estoril, Portugal. Julius Kühn-Institut, Berlin, Germany. pp. 352-357.
PDF	Campbell, J.F., M.D. Toews, F.H. Arthur, and R.T. Arbogast. 2010. Long-term monitoring of Tribolium castaneum in two flour mills: seasonal patterns and impact of fumigation. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 991-1001.
PDF	Campbell, J.F., M.D. Toews, F.H. Arthur, and R.T. Arbogast. 2010. Long-term monitoring of Tribolium castaneum populations in two flour mills: rebound after fumigation. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1002-1011.
PDF	Jenson, E.A., F.H. Arthur, and J.R. Nechols. 2010. Efficacy of an esfenvalerate plus methoprene aerosol for the control of eggs and fifth instars of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Insect Sci. 17: 21-28.
PDF	Jenson, E.A., F.H. Arthur, and J.R. Nechols. 2010. Methoprene and synergized pyrethrins as aerosol treatments to control Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), the Indian meal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 46: 103-110.
PDF	Toews, M.D., J.F. Campbell, and F.H. Arthur. 2010. The presence of flour affects the efficacy of aerosolized insecticides used to treat the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. J. Insect Sci. 10: 1-14.
	Tucker, A.M., J.F. Campbell, F.H. Arthur, and K.Y. Zhu. 2010. Horizontal transfer of methoprene in Tribolium castaneum. In M.O. Carvalho et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, 27 June to 2 July 2010, Estoril, Portugal. Julius Kühn-Institut, Berlin, Germany. pp. 818-823. (Link to article *)
PDF	Arthur, F.H. 2009. Efficacy of chlorfenapyr against adult Tribolium castaneum exposed on concrete: effects of exposure interval, concentration and the presence of a food source after exposure. Insect Sci. 16: 157-163.
Available at NAL DR	Arthur, F.H., J.A. Johnson, L.G. Neven, G.J. Hallman, and P.A. Follett. 2009. Insect pest management in postharvest ecosystems in the United States of America. Outlooks Pest Manage. 20: 279-284.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., S. Liu, B. Zhao, and T.W. Phillips. 2009. Residual efficacy of pyriproxyfen and hydroprene applied to wood, metal and concrete for control of stored-product insects. Pest Manag. Sci. 65: 791-797.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2009. Efficacy of grain protectants against four psocid species on maize, rice and wheat. Pest Manag. Sci. 65: 1140-1146.
PDF	Athanassiou, C.G., F.H. Arthur, and J.E. Throne. 2009. Efficacy of spinosad in layer-treated wheat against five stored-product insect species. J. Stored Prod. Res. 45: 236-240.
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