Frank Arthur - Research Summaries     [back]

Distribution, abundance, and seasonal patterns of stored product beetles in a commercial food storage facility

Several beetle species can be major pests of stored food products, but there are few studies where resident populations have been monitored for more than one year in commercial facilities. We monitored beetle populations a food warehouse for three years using attractants. The focal points of infestation shifted during the storage period, but beetles were found even in areas of the warehouse where no food products were stored. Specific sites were identified where beetles were most prevalent. Actual numbers of beetles fluctuated depending on the amount and location of goods in the warehouse, and also show that the movement of goods into and out of the warehouse also affected insect populations. Results show how targeted monitoring of insect pests can aid in making management decisions, while taking into account the dynamic nature of insect infestations inside active commercial facilities. 

 

Evaluation of synergized pyrethrin aerosol for control of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleptera: Tenebrionidae)

Aerosol insecticides are used to control flour beetles in milling facilities, and there are areas within flour mills where food spillage can accumulate and provide harborage sites for insect infestations. There is a need for information regarding the effect of food material on aerosol effectiveness. When the insects were directly exposed to the aerosol, mortality was high, but when they were exposed with flour, or exposed in the treated flour, mortality was greatly reduced. Larvae of both species were less susceptible to the pyrethrin aerosol in the presence of flour compared to adults and pupae, possibly because they were able to burrow into the flour and escape exposure. Results of this study show that sanitation and cleaning in conjunction with aerosol application may yield increased control of flour beetle populations in milling and food storage facilities.

 

Distribution, abundance, and seasonal patterns of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) in a commercial food storage facility

The Indianmeal moth is a major pest of stored food products, but there are few studies where resident populations have been monitored for more than one year in commercial facilities. We monitored Indianmeal moth populations inside a food warehouse for three years using an attractant for male moths. The focal points of infestation shifted during the storage period, but moths were consistently trapped in certain locations. Also, we caught moths in traps that were in places where no food was stored. In general, more moths were caught during the summer months compared to the remainder of the year. Cost estimates for the monitoring program were calculated using values provided by private industry. We used these values to show how reducing the number of traps could provide information on infestation trends while lowering the costs associated with insect monitoring. Results show the importance of monitoring for Indianmeal moths, but also emphasize the dynamic nature of insect infestations inside an active warehouse.

 

Susceptibility of stored-product psocids to aerosol insecticides

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 other stored-product insect pests, such as beetles and moths. Aerosol insecticides are used in flour mills and warehouses to control beetle and moth pests, but their effect on psocids pests needs to be determined. We evaluated two commonly used aerosol insecticides, methoprene and esfenvalerate, applied alone and in combination for control of four species of stored-product psocid pests. The greatest mortality of psocids attained was 76% for immature psocids and 62% for adult psocids, indicating that the aerosols did not provide effective control of the tested psocid species. This study shows that psocids may be tolerant to these aerosol insecticides when applied at rates that are normally effective for control of other stored-product insect pests. This information will help pest managers choose appropriate control strategies for psocid pests.

 

Efficacy of Aerosols for Managing the Red Flour Beetle

Pest management professionals commonly utilize aerosolized liquid applications, also known as fogging, for management of stored-product insects including the red flour beetle.These applications are part of a potential methyl bromide replacement technology because they may increase the time interval between structural fumigations or heat treatments. The objectives of this study were to examine influence of flour accumulation, exposure location, life stage, and insecticide on the efficacy of aerosol applications. Data show that aerosolized insecticide applications in dishes without food residues placed in the open produced the highest red flour beetle mortality. Conversely, mortality significantly decreased with food and exposure under pallets.