Candidate Formulations for Disinfesting Transport Vehicles, 1981

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory-reared stored-product insects were exposed to I insecticidal formulations in transport trailers (ca 71 m3) in Miami, FL. For each test, 40 insects of each species were held in 10 cm dia open petri dishes placed on the floor at the midsection of each trialer ca 30 cm from a side wall. The aerosols were propelled by CO2 or freon and released within closed trailers by an individual walking the length of the trailer and releasing the aerosol for the required amount of time. Dusts were formulated with either Diabrite or HiSil 233 as a carrier and introduced into the trailer by CO2 propellant through an open rear door. The exposure period was 5 hr; 10 min in the closed trailer after each aerosol application, 20 min with one door of the trailer opened for aeration, and 4.5 hr in the original containers after their removal from the trailers and before the insects (treated and untreated) were transferred to clean petri dishes. Insects were observed after 24 hr for knockdown (those that could not walk or remain in an upright position) and at 14 days post-exposure for mortality, expressed as dead plus moribund insects (those that showed little or no movement when lightly stimulated with a small camel-hair brush). Each test was replicated 3 times. The average air temperature inside the trailer at treatment was 21°±3°C and the relative humidity was 80 ± 12%.