ARS | Publication request: Susceptibility of different life stages of Tribolium spp. to pyrethrin aerosol

Submitted to: International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: October 10, 2006
Publication Date: November 6, 2006
Citation: Arthur, F.H. Susceptibility of different life stages of Tribolium spp. to pyrethrin aerosol [abstract]. International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, Orlando, FL, November 6-9, 2006.

Technical Abstract: When adult red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum are exposed to aerosol insecticides, dispersion of the formulation within the target area, recovery after knockdown, and the presence of food material can all affect final mortality. A study was conducted in a commercial food warehouse with an installed aerosol system, and adults were either exposed with or without a flour food source. Survival of adult confused flour beetles was significantly greater at both 7 and 14 days post-treatment in dishes containing a flour food source, while a significant difference for red flour beetles occurred only at the 7-day post-exposure period. The red flour beetle was the more susceptible species; final mortality was > 98%, compared to 85 to 90% mortality of adult confused flour beetles. No exposed larvae of either species emerged as adults in any of the treatments. No exposed pupae of the red flour beetle emerged as adults, while emergence of confused flour beetle exposed as pupae was low and sporadic, and occurred primarily in the first replicate. Results show the pyrethrin aerosol would effectively control these two beetle species.