Inert dust insecticides: Part III. The effect of dusts on stored products pests other than Calandra granaria

Abstract

The inert dusts used in Parts I and II against the grain weevil have been found effective in vitro against a variety of other insects infesting stored products, both larvae and adults. The order, as well as the magnitude, of effectiveness of a series of dusts differs for different species, but the mechanism of action appears to be the same, viz. promotion of evaporation of moisture, leading to death by desiccation. In contrast to the results with Calandra, highly adsorbent dusts like charcoal are much more effective on larvae than are mineral powders.Dusts have a particularly striking action on the mealworm, and this case has therefore been investigated more fully. Dead mealworms when dusted do not lose water nearly as rapidly as live dusted ones.