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Title: EVALUATION OF A NEW INSECTICIDE FORMULATION (F2) AS A PROTECTANT OF STORED WHEAT, STORED CORN AND STORED RICE

Author
item Arthur, Franklin

Submitted to: Journal of Stored Products Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2002
Publication Date: 3/15/2004
Citation: ARTHUR, F.H. EVALUATION OF A NEW INSECTICIDE FORMULATION (F2) AS A PROTECTANT OF STORED WHEAT, STORED CORN AND STORED RICE. JOURNAL OF STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH 40: 317-330. 2004.

Interpretive Summary: Inert dusts such as diatomaceous earth are labeled as grain treatments, but in some instances do not give complete control of stored-product beetles. Dust and slurry formulations of a new insecticide called F2, which is a combination of diatomaceous earth with conventional insecticides, were evaluated on several stored commodities. The dust formulations were slightly more effective than the slurry formulations. Although the beetle species occasionally survived when they were exposed, few progeny were produced on treated corn and treated wheat. Some progeny production did occur on rice. Results show that this new insecticide could be used to protect stored commodities from insect infestations.

Technical Abstract: A new commercial formulation, F2, was evaluated as a protectant of stored wheat, stored corn, and stored rough (paddy) rice. This formulation is comprised of 90% diatomaceous earth, combined with low rates of an organophosphate, a pyrethroid, a synergist, and edible oil. Tests were conducted with dust and slurry formulations at 50 and 100 ppm, 57 and 75% relative humidity (r.h.), 27 and 32 degrees C. More red flour beetles survived on treated wheat compared to either the lesser grain borer or the rice weevil, and the dust treatments were usually more effective than the slurry treatments. Few F1s of any of the three species were found in the treated samples. More red flour beetles survived on treated corn compared to the maize weevil, but few F1 adults of either species were found in treated corn. Survival of lesser grain borer on treated rough rice averaged zero to 2.7% and survival of rice weevil was on treated rice was zero to 48.8%. Few F1 adult lesser grain borers were found in treated rice, but F1 rice weevils were found in rice treated with the 50 ppm slurry and held at 27 degrees C. Results show that this combination insecticidal product F2 was extremely effective on all 3 commodities at the rate of 100 ppm, as either a dust or liquid slurry, and could be used as a commodity protectant.