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Title: HYDROPRENE: MODE OF ACTION, CURRENT STATUS IN STORED-PRODUCT PEST MANAGEMENT, INSECT RESISTANCE, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Author
item MOHANDASS, S - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item Arthur, Franklin
item ZHU, K - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item Throne, James

Submitted to: Crop Protection
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2006
Publication Date: 4/18/2006
Citation: Mohandass, S.M., Arthur, F.H., Zhu, K.Y., Throne, J.E. 2006. Hydroprene: mode of action, current status in stored-product pest management, insect resistance, and future prospects. Crop Protection 25: 902-909.

Interpretive Summary: The insect growth regulator hydroprene is an insecticide used in pest management programs for control of stored-product insects in mills, warehouses, and food storage facilities. Information on different aspects of hydroprene are found in the scientific literature, but there is a need to develop a comprehensive review of current knowledge. In this paper, we review and summarize information about the toxicology and mode of action of hydroprene, effects on stored-product insects, practical management implications, and opportunities for future research.

Technical Abstract: Hydroprene is a juvenile hormone analogue used in stored-product insect pest management. The popularity of this insect growth regulator has increased in recent years due to the change of pesticide laws in the United States and also due to change of consumer preferences world-wide. Alternatives to conventional chemicals are being evaluated due to the declining chemical control options available for stored-product insect pest management. Hydroprene is a biopesticide and considered to be an alternative to conventional insecticides because of its specific activity against immature insect stages, low persistence in the environment, and virtually non-toxic effects on mammals. Several published records demonstrate the excellent potential of hydroprene to control many stored-product insects. However, there are concerns of insect resistance to all insecticides, including insect growth regulators. An understanding of the mode of action of hydroprene is, therefore, of prime importance in order make best use of this chemical in stored-product insect management. This article reviews the mode of action of hydroprene in insects, its current status in stored-product pest management, and potential mechanisms by which insects could develop resistance to this chemical. We also identify potential areas of further research with hydroprene that include, but are not limited to, the estimation of effects of hydroprene on different flooring surfaces, evaluation of multiple methods of hydroprene application in a facility, identification of other control methods to be used in combination with hydroprene, identification of specific life stages of stored-product insects that are especially vulnerable to hydroprene, and inclusion of the effects of hydroprene in stored-product insect population models.