Author
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Arthur, Franklin |
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Submitted to: Journal of Stored Products Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2002 Publication Date: 1/15/2003 Citation: ARTHUR,F.H., EFFICACY OF A VOLATILE FORMULATION OF HYDROPRENE (POINTSOURCE) TO CONTROL TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM AND TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE), JOURNAL OF STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH 39: 205-212, 2003. Interpretive Summary: Currently there are few reduced-risk low-toxicity insecticides registered for control of stored-product insects in small confined spaces inside of structures, including food warehouses, mills, and homes. New approaches must be found to control stored-product insects in these areas. A volatile formulation of the insect growth regulator hydroprene (Pointsource), which is not toxic to humans, was evaluated for control of the red flour beetle and confused flour beetle. Both beetle species were susceptible to Pointsource; exposed larvae often failed to molt to the adult stage, and adults that did emerge were usually deformed and quickly died. This commercial product could be used to control insects in small confined spaces in urban settings, including retail stores and home. Technical Abstract: Three and 4-week old Tribolium castaneum Herbst, the red flour beetle, and Tribolium confusum DuVal, the confused flour beetle, were exposed at 5 different temperature-relative humidity combinations to a volatile formulation of the insect growth regulator (IGR) hydroprene (called Pointsource). Typical effects associated with IGR exposure, such as arrested larval growth, morphological deformities in adults, twisted and deformed wings, and incomplete adult emergence were produced in both species. T. castaneum and T. confusum were susceptible to Pointsource, but T. castaneum appeared to be the more susceptible species. More 3 week-old larvae of both species were arrested in that stage compared to the 4-week old larvae. Nearly all of the 3 and 4-week old T. castaneum larvae that were able to complete development to the adult stage quickly died after they emerged and were grossly morphologically deformed. In contrast, some emerged adult T. confusum remained alive after they emerged and they were not deformed in any manner or had only twisted and incomplete wings. A greater percentage of larvae of both species were arrested in the larval stage and more adults died after they emerged in exposure studies conducted at 32 C, 75% RH compared to 32 C, 30% RH, but the reverse was true for exposures conducted at 27 C. Pointsource appears to have excellent potential for use in controlling Tribolium species within indoor facilities. |
