Efficacy of Surface Applications with Diatomaceous Earth to Control Rhyzopertha Dominica
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ARTICLE IN PRESS Journal of Stored Products Research 43 (2007) 335–341 www.elsevier.com/locate/jspr Efficacy of surface applications with diatomaceous earth to control Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored wheat$ Erika A. Vardemana, Frank H. Arthurb,Ã, James R. Necholsc, James F. Campbellb aCarolina Biological Supply Company, 2700 York Road, Burlington, NC 27215-3398, USA bGrain Marketing and Production Research Center, USDA-ARS, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA cDepartment of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4-04, USA Accepted 25 August 2006 Abstract Commercial formulations of diatomaceous earth (DE) products labeled for use as grain protectants usually specify on the label the depth for using them as a surface treatment, which is often 30.5 cm. An experiment was conducted at two temperatures (27 and 32 1C) and three exposure intervals (7, 10 and 14 d), at a relative humidity of 57–60% to determine if Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), the lesser grain borer, could penetrate a 30.5-cm layer of wheat treated with the labeled rates of three commercial formulations of DE, and, if so, to measure rates of adult survival and progeny production. When R. dominica adults were introduced to this surface layer of 30.5-cm wheat admixed with DE, they were able to penetrate the DE-treated layer and oviposit in the untreated wheat below. Both adult survival and progeny production were significantly lower in wheat with a surface-layer treatment of Dryacides (1000 ppm) as compared to InsectoTM (500 ppm), Protect-Its (400 ppm) or the untreated control. Temperature and exposure interval had no effect on adult survival or progeny production. The vertical displacement patterns of adults were significantly different among DE treatments, but not for temperature or exposure intervals. More R. dominica traveled a greater distance in the untreated control, followed by InsectoTM, Protect-Its, and then Dryacides. Results indicate that R. dominica can penetrate a surface layer of DE-treated wheat and reproduce within and below it, but it is possible that pest suppression is dose dependent, or it may depend on a combination of application rate and specific DE formulation. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: Rhyzopertha dominica; Diatomaceous earth; Wheat; Control; Movement 1. Introduction Winn, 1996). DE kills insects by adhering to and abrading the insect cuticle, thereby adsorbing lipids in the epicuticle Diatomaceous earth (DE) is mined and obtained from and causing death due to water loss and desiccation deposits of fossilized diatoms, which are microscopic plants (Quarles and Winn, 1996; Korunic, 1998; Subramanyam related to algae. These unicellular plants extract silica from and Roesli, 2000). salt and fresh water, which then forms an outer skeletal Commercial formulations of DE have been available in structure. Upon death, the cell walls are deposited on the the United States since the 1950s (Korunic, 1998). ocean floors, river beds, or lake bottoms (Subramanyam However, the large amount of DE required to adequately and Roesli, 2000; Korunic, 1998). Fossilized deposits are control stored-product insects has often resulted in physical collected and processed for commercial use by drying, problems and mechanical damage to grain handling crushing, and milling to create a fine powder (Quarles and equipment (Korunic et al., 1996). Newer formulations of DE are more effective than some of the older products, but $This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a even at lower application rates physical problems such as proprietary product or insecticide does not constitute a recommendation decreased flow rate and increased bulk density can occur or endorsement by Kansas State University or the US Department of Agriculture. when entire grain masses are treated (Korunic et al., 1996, ÃCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 785 776 2783; fax: +1 785 537 5584. 1998). Because of the concern regarding effects on the E-mail address: [email protected] (F.H. Arthur). physical properties of grain, there is interest in using DE 0022-474X/$ - see front matter Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.jspr.2006.08.003 ARTICLE IN PRESS 336 E.A. Vardeman et al. / Journal of Stored Products Research 43 (2007) 335–341 primarily as a surface treatment for insect control in stored the years these products were obtained were 2003, 2002, grain. and 2002, respectively. These particular products were Insecticidal efficacy of DE can be affected by environmental chosen because of previous research indicating overall factors, including the source of the deposits (Golob, 1997; effectiveness when admixed with grains (Desmarchelier and Korunic et al., 1996). Generally the efficacy of DE decreases Dines, 1987; Aldryhim, 1993; Subramanyam et al., 1994; with increases in humidity and grain moisture content, but Arthur, 2001). Experimental units were constructed using increases with temperature (Subramanyam and Roesli, 2000). standard plastic PVC pipe with an inside diameter of Also, susceptibility to DE can vary among insect species, in 7.62 cm and an outside diameter of 8.9 cm. Individual rings general mobile species such as Cryptolestes ferrugineus measuring 7.6 cm in width were cut from the pipe, and 12 (Stephens), the rusty grain beetle, are more susceptible to of these rings were taped together with duct tape to form a DE than less mobile species (Rigaux et al., 2001). vertical column, or tower, measuring 91.2 cm. Twenty-four Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), the lesser grain borer, is a towers were constructed, and each tower was closed at the major cosmopolitan pest of stored wheat (Potter, 1935). It is bottom with a flat PVC hub and closed at the top with a astrongflier(Dowdy, 1994) and generally enters a grain bin round PVC cap. A small 1.27 cm diameter hole was drilled through the headspace, then moves through the grain mass into the top ring of each tower. Three temperature cables in a slow downward progression (Sharangapani and Pingale, attached to a HOBO sensor (Onset Computers, Pocasset 1957; Surtees, 1965; Keever, 1983; Hagstrum et al., 1994; MA, USA) were inserted through the holes. One tempera- Vela-Coiffier et al., 1997; Hagstrum, 2001). Both adults and ture cable was placed at the bottom of the tower, a second larvae attack whole kernels. Females lay eggs on the outside cable was placed in the middle of the tower, and a final of the kernel and the first instars bore inside, where they cable was placed so that it would rest on top of the wheat continue development until adulthood. Upon reaching the once the tower was filled. This was done to record adult stage, the mature insect bores out of the grain kernel temperatures through the depth of the towers. and creates a large exit hole (Potter, 1935). This internal Twelve towers were put into each of two incubators development makes management of the insect difficult. (Thermo Forma, Marietta OH) set at 27 and 32 1C. Actual There are several studies based on using new formulations average temperatures (7SEM) measured were 27.271.1, of DE on stored grain as a surface treatment admixed with and 31.970.03 1C. A r.h. range of 57–60% was created in wheat, alone, or in combination with other methods of each incubator using a saturated solution of sodium control (Subramanyam et al., 1994; McLaughlin, 1994; bromide (NaBr) (Greenspan, 1977), which was put in each Nickson et al., 1994; Vardeman et al., 2006). However, there of two 1.9 L glass jars and placed on the bottom shelf in is little published research on the efficacy of DE as a surface each incubator. All towers were filled with approximately treatment to control R. dominica in stored wheat. Therefore, 2.6 kg of hard red winter wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) to our experimental objectives were to: (1) compare the efficacy the top of the third ring down from the top of the tower, of labeled rates of three commercial formulations of DE as leaving a head space height of 15.2 cm. In treatments surface-layer treatments against R. dominica; (2) determine involving commercial formulations of DE, the DE was if R. dominica could disperse through wheat treated with mixed with wheat to form a 30.5 cm surface layer using the these different DE formulations and reproduce in untreated labeled rates specified for each product (1000, 500, and wheat below the treated layer; and (3) evaluate temperature 400 ppm for Dryacides, InsectoTM, or Protect-Its), effects and time of exposure on the dispersal, mortality, and respectively. The depth of the treated layer was chosen reproduction of R. dominica. based on earlier work with Protect-Its (400 ppm) at three different surface depth treatments (Vardeman et al., 2006). 2. Materials and methods To achieve this, the treatment towers were first filled with untreated wheat to the top of the sixth ring (six rings), and 2.1. Rhyzopertha dominica then the treated wheat filled the space (four rings) up to the top of the third ring. Each ring held 261 g of wheat; The R. dominica used in experiments were obtained from therefore the 30.5 cm surface layer treatment corresponded a pesticide-susceptible colony reared at 30 1C, 60% to 1044 g of wheat. The appropriate amount of DE was relative humidity (r.h.) and maintained at the USDA weighed for each formulation and applied to the wheat by Grain Marketing Research and Production Center in placing the wheat in a 3.8 L glass jar, adding the DE and Manhattan, KS. Voucher specimens of the strain of R. hand shaking and rotating the jar for 1 min. The treated dominica used in the experiments were deposited in the wheat was placed in the towers on top of the untreated Kansas State University Museum of Entomological Prairie wheat and filled the tower to the same level as the untreated Arthropod Research under Lot no.