Disinfestation of rust-red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), saw-toothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), yellow meal worm (Tenebrio molitor), Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) and Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) with sulfuryl fluoride in flour mills.

Abstract

AbstractFumigations with sulfuryl fluoride were conducted in flour mills in Germany in July 1998 and 1999, and April 2000 with sulfuryl fluoride (tradename ProFame) to evaluate the effectiveness of the fumigant under practical conditions. Bioassays of all life stages of the stored product insects E. kuehniella, P. interpunctella, Tribolium castaneum, Tenebrio molitor and Oryzaephilus surinamensis were introduced into the mills before fumigation. Sealing was achieved using tape and polyethylene in two mills and in the third by covering with tarpaulins to achieve effective gastight enclosures. The mills were heated as part of the fumigation procedure using either coil-in-oil electric heaters or ducted hot air generated by external oil burners. The temperatures and relative humidities recorded at the bioassay locations ranged from 22 to 40°C and 20 to 80%, respectively. The fumigation periods (exposure times) were approximately 36 or 48 h with rates (concentration × time products) between 1860 and 2255 g h-1 m-3. A very high level of mortality of all species and life stages was obtained, confirming that sulfuryl fluoride is effective for the disinfestation of flour mills under practical conditions.