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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407319
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Alternative Treatments for Perishable and Stored Products

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Evaluation of fumigant toxicity of cyclohexanone to 5 species of insect pests

Author
item Liu, Yong Biao

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2024
Publication Date: 1/24/2024
Citation: Liu, Y.-B. 2024. Evaluation of fumigant toxicity of cyclohexanone to 5 species of insect pests. Journal of Economic Entomology. 117(2):494–499. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae010

Interpretive Summary: There is a need for safe and effective alternative fumigants to replace methyl bromide for postharvest pest control. In this study, cyclohexanone which is a major precursor of nylon was found to be an effective fumigant against five insect species including confused flour beetle adults, rice weevil adults, western flower thrips larvae and adults, spotted wing drosophila flies, and easter subterranean termite workers. Complete controls were achieved for all five species even though they differed in susceptibility to cyclohexanone fumigation. The results of the study suggest that cyclohexanone has potential to be used for postharvest pest control and more research efforts should be given to develop effective treatments.

Technical Abstract: Cyclohexanone is a major precursor for nylon production and has also been used as a pesticide solvent. In this study, cyclohexanone was found to be effective against insects as a fumigant in laboratory tests. Cyclohexanone fumigations were conducted against rice weevil adults, confused flour beetle adults, western flower thrips larvae and adults, spotted wing drosophila adults, and subterranean termite workers. Cyclohexanone fumigation was effective against all five insects tested with different doses and treatment times. Complete control of spotted wing drosophila adults was achieved in 1 h fumigation with 25 'l/l of cyclohexanone while rice weevil and confused flour beetle adults were completely controlled in 24 h fumigations with 100 'l/l of cyclohexanone. Complete control of western flower thrips and eastern subterranean termites were achieved in 3 h fumigations. The results showed that cyclohexanone has potential to be used as a fumigant for postharvest pest control.