Abstract
The insect growth regulator methoprene can be mixed into the matrix used to comprise bags and other packaging materials. Different methodologies were utilized to evaluate the efficacy of different types of methoprene-treated packaging towards Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the red flour beetle, and T. confusum Jacquelin duVal, the confused flour beetle, two common insect species that infest stored products. Tests were conducted by creating arenas in which larvae were exposed on the packaging surface along with a flour food source, and assessments were made on adults emerging from the exposed progeny. Tests were also done by exposing adults, again with a flour food source, removing the adults after one week, and assessing adult emergence of progeny from those parental adults. In tests with larvae exposed on methoprene-treated birdseed bags, the outside surface had more activity compared to the inside surface, especially on T. confusum. In other studies with different types of packaging materials, there was generally 100% inhibition of adult emergence of exposed larvae or of progeny adults when parental adults were exposed on the methoprene-treated packaging. The best technique for evaluation was to expose late-stage larvae as the test life stage. Results show the potential of using methoprene-treated packaging for bagged storage of processed grains and grain products.
Highlights
The insect growth regulator (IGR) methoprene is labelled in the United States of America (USA) for use as a grain protectant, a residual surface treatment, and as an aerosol for structural treatment to mills and processing plants
There was variation in the percentage of morphologically-normal adults emerging from the exposed larvae of both T. castaneum and T. confusum during the 12-month residual study (Table 1)
It was evident that the outside portion of the bagged packaging had a higher level of activity compared to the inside surface, with lower adult emergence on 5 of 7 comparisons for T. castaneum and 7 of 7 comparisons for T. confusum
Summary
The insect growth regulator (IGR) methoprene is labelled in the United States of America (USA) for use as a grain protectant, a residual surface treatment, and as an aerosol for structural treatment to mills and processing plants. Diacon® IGR (Central Life Sciences, Schaumberg, IL, USA) will give control of externally-feeding stored product insect pests on different stored grains for at least two years [1]. Methoprene can be applied as an aerosol, but in the USA it is usually combined with pyrethrins or a pyrethroid [4]. When methoprene is applied in combination with pyrethrin as a surface treatment or as an aerosol, the residual deposits will give control of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and Tribolium confusum Jacqueline duVal, for weeks or even several months [4,5]
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