ARS | Publication request: DIATOMACEOUS EARTH PLUS METHOPRENE FOR CONTROL OF LESSER GRAIN BORER, RHYZOPERTHA DOMINICA, IN ROUGH RICE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: February 27, 2006
Publication Date: February 27, 2006
Citation: Arthur, F.H., Chanbang, Y., Wilde, G. 2006. Diatomaceous earth plus methoprene for control of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, in rough rice. Meeting Abstract. 31st Rice Technical Group Meeting, Woodlands, TX, Feb. 26-27, 2006.

Technical Abstract: The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), is a major insect pest of all stored grains, including rough rice. Diatomaceous earth (DE), a natural inert dust, and methoprene, an insect growth regulator, are two insecticides registered for direct application for stored grains. However, methoprene does not kill adult lesser grain borers. Combination treatments of 0 to 300 ppm DE were combined with 0 to 1 ppm methoprene on single varieties of long, short, and medium grain rice. With DE alone, mortality of adults exposed for one week did not exceed 20%, and there was extensive progeny production in all treatments. Any concentration of methoprene completely suppressed F1 progeny. Results indicate that DE alone may not control R. dominica on rough rice, but the addition of even a small amount of methoprene will suppress progeny.