ARS | Publication request: FUMIGATION OF FLOUR MILLS TO MANAGE RED FLOUR BEETLE: ASSESSMENT OF TREATMENT EFFICACY

Submitted to: Entomology Society of America Pacific Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2005
Publication Date: March 1, 2005
Citation: Campbell, J.F., Prabhakaran, S., Toews, M.D. 2005. Fumigation of flour mills to manage red flour beetle: assessment of treatment efficacy. Entomology Society of America Pacific Branch Meeting, Pacific Grove, CA.

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide is still widely used in flour mills for the suppression of stored-product insect pests; primarily the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Use of this fumigant is being phased out and development and adoption of alternative control tactics, such as sulfuryl fluoride or heat, has been made more difficult due to the extremely limited published field data on action thresholds, efficacy, and rate of population rebound. Here, we evaluate the impact of multiple fumigations with methyl bromide or sulfuryl fluoride on red flour beetle populations in multiple flour mills. Red flour beetle population levels were assessed using either direct counts of insects from product samples, direct counts of insects sieved from the product stream (i.e., tailings samples), or from pheromone baited trap captures. From this data, average levels at time of treatment, percent decrease in number following treatment, and rate of rebound were determined. Influence of season and pest density on efficacy and rebound were also evaluated. From the compilation of this type of monitoring data we can begin to develop a better understanding of the impact of fumigation on pest populations and improve the selection, timing and application of pest suppression tactics in flour mills.