ARS | Publication request: Efficacy of pyriproxyfen for control of stored-product psocids (Psocoptera) on concrete surfaces

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2011
Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Citation: Athanassiou, C.G., Arthur, F.H., Kavallieratos, N.G., Throne, J.E. 2011. Efficacy of pyriproxyfen for control of stored-product psocids (Psocoptera) on concrete surfaces. Journal of Economic Entomology. 104(5): 1765-1769. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603.EC10424.

Interpretive Summary: 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.

Technical Abstract: The insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen was evaluated as a surface treatment for control of three stored-product psocid pests, Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, L. decolor (Pearman), and L. paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). Nymphs were exposed for 35 d on a concrete surface treated with 2.3 mg active ingredient [AI]/m2 of pyriproxyfen. Exposure to pyriproxyfen reduced the numbers of all three species, in comparison to untreated controls. The presence of cracked kernels, either treated or not with pyriproxyfen, generally did not affect efficacy. 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 L. 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.