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Title: Economic feasibility of methoprene applied as a surface treatment and as an aerosol alone and in combination with two other insecticides

Author
item FONTENOT, EMILY - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
item Arthur, Franklin
item NECHOLS, JAMES - Kansas State University
item LANGEMEIER, MICHAEL - Purdue University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2013
Publication Date: 6/27/2013
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/57838
Citation: Fontenot, E.A., Arthur, F.H., Nechols, J.R., Langemeier, M.R. 2013. Economic feasibility of methoprene applied as a surface treatment and as an aerosol alone and in combination with two other insecticides. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106(3): 1503-1510. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EC12470.

Interpretive Summary: Insect growth regulators (IGRs) used alone or combined with other insecticides are being evaluated for control of the Indianmeal moth, a common stored product pest, but there is little research regarding economic feasibility of treatments. We used mortality data from laboratory and field studies to conduct an economic risk analysis of different treatments. The optimal insecticide was a combination of methoprene combined with the pyrethroid esfenvalerate, but more frequent treatment is needed to reduce risk when Indianmeal moth developed on an optimal diet compared to a sub-optimal diet. Results show how risk assessments can be developed to help minimize damage caused by the Indianmeal moth.

Technical Abstract: Economic evaluations of integrated pest management strategies are becoming increasingly important as restrictions on conventional insecticides continue to become more stringent and chemical control costs rise. Aerosol treatments with insect growth regulators alone and in combination with conventional contact insecticides may be a feasible alternative to expensive and highly toxic fumigants such as methyl bromide for control of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella Hübner). Mortality of Indianmeal moth eggs exposed to surface applied methoprene or aerosol methoprene alone and in combination with esfenvalerate and synergized pyrethrins is 55, 69.01, 82.33 and 94.63%, respectively. Temperature effects on development time make frequency and timing of insecticide applications very important as evidenced by simulations of population levels in response to a variety of treatment dates by diet, and become critical in situations where survival of Indianmeal moth is high. Using a measurement of risk that is equal to deviations below a target mortality goal (99%), we are able to optimize cost and frequency of application using simulated mortality data for each of the treatment strategies. Optimal timing of each insecticide treatment depends heavily on the rate of development by diet.