Brief exposure of Blattella germanica (Blattodea) to insecticides formulated in various microcapsule sizes and applied on porous and non-porous surfaces

BACKGROUND: The authors explored how microcapsule size and brief exposure affected the bioavailability of five microencapsulated insecticide formulations, chlorpyrifos 23.1 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-PRO), chlorpyrifos 20 g L(-1) CS (Empire 20), fenitrothion 20 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-Mic), cyphenothrin 10 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-CAP) and diazinon 30 g L(-1) CS (Diacap), to Blattella germanica L. on porous and non-porous surfaces. The hypothesis was tested that microencapsulated (CS) insecticides comprising larger microcapsules show higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules. RESULTS: Brief exposure was accomplished by allowing B. germanica to cross a 0.3 m insecticide barrier in 30 s (1.01 cm s(-1)). Such short exposure did not lead to 100% mortality in any formulation or surface tested. Significant differences in bioavailability on the porous and the non-porous surfaces were found: the largest difference was observed in Empire 20 and Detmol CAP, while bioavailability of Detmol MIC did not differ on porous and non-porous surfaces. Comparison of their microcapsule size spectra revealed that formulations containing larger microcapsules had higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules. In order to explain the difference in efficacy, the variance of microcapsule sizes was regressed on the efficacy ratio on porous versus non-porous surfaces. Although negative correlation was evident between size of capsules and the efficacy ratio on porous and non-porous surfaces, the difference in the slope parameter was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Brief contact of B. germanica with insecticide spray residues, which is common in barrier treatment, may lead to low efficacy, especially on porous surfaces. The latter should be preferably treated with CS insecticides containing a fraction with large capsules. In addition to the size of the microcapsules, the role of other factors, such as wall capsule thickness and chemical composition, on CS insecticide activity on various surfaces should be examined in future work.     

Droplet Dynamics and Initial Field Tests for Microencapsulated Pesticide Formulations Applied at Ultra Low Volume Using Rotary Atomisers for Control of Locusts and Grasshoppers

The physical properties and field efficacy of microencapsulated acridicides (ME) were investigated to determine their suitability for application at Ultra Low Volume (ULV) rates in Sahelian conditions. Microcapsules were not damaged during application using Micronair AU7000 rotary atomisers. Drop size was dependent upon microcapsule size, smaller microcapsules tending to form dense aggregates within large droplets. The aggregation effect was counteracted by larger microcapsule sizes and by dilution of the concentrated formulation. There was a tendency for microcapsules to land dry at increasing distances from the point of application and at high temperatures and low humidities. In the field in Mali (W. Africa) diluted ME formulations were found to be suitable for ULV application by Berthoud C8 hand-held sprayers, vehicle-mounted Micronair AU7000 pest control kits and helicopter-mounted Beecomist rotary atomisers. ME formulations of fenitrothion, chlorpyriphos and diazinon all suppressed grasshopper populations in annual grassland and were as effective as fenitrothion applied at the standard ULV rate. The spatially heterogeneous and shifting nature of the grasshopper populations prevented the relative efficacy or persistence of the different products to be quantified and the potential for reduced environmental impact could not be tested.     

微囊化溶剂对吡唑醚菌酯微囊悬浮剂应用性能的影响

利用安全溶剂替代农药制剂中的有毒溶剂符合农业可持续发展的要求，乳油中有害溶剂替代已经颇具成效，而微囊剂型中的溶剂替代也应该引起重视。本文先通过比较油酸甲酯和150# 溶剂油对油相稳定性的影响以确定溶剂的种类和用量，采用界面聚合法分别以油酸甲酯和150#溶剂油为溶剂制备了9%吡唑醚菌酯微囊悬浮剂，之后考察了两种制剂的释放性能、抗光解性能和田间应用效果。结果表明；以油酸甲酯为溶剂，当原药与溶剂质量比为1 : 2时，所得的吡唑醚菌酯微囊为球形，平均粒径为2.92 μm，与以150# 溶剂油为溶剂制备的微囊相比，在快速释放液中，20 min时前者中吡唑醚菌酯的累积释放率为92%，后者仅为50%。在模拟紫外光强度下，在100 min时，以油酸甲酯作溶剂的微囊中吡唑醚菌酯含量比以150#作溶剂的微囊中吡唑醚菌酯的含量高30.59%。田间药效试验结果表明，在施药后32 d，用以油酸甲酯为溶剂制备的9%吡唑醚菌酯微囊悬浮剂处理比以150# 溶剂油为溶剂的微囊悬浮剂处理和250 g/L吡唑醚菌酯乳油处理对花生叶斑病的防效分别高16.59%和29.34%。表明溶剂对农药微囊制剂的稳定性和应用性能均存在影响，应该优化筛选。本研究可为农药微囊制剂的精细化加工提供理论依据。     

A novel route for the preparation of narrow particle size distribution emulsions and microcapsules†

A process is described for making emulsions, and microcapsules derived from them, of known, narrow particle size distribution. This can greatly reduce problems of thermodynamic instability and degradation, and improve biological performance by permitting close control of the release rate of capsules. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mobility and persistence of isazofos in granular and microencapsulated formulations in two soils,using field lysimeters

Field lysimeters were used to assess the mobility and persistence of microencapsulated and granular formulations of the soil insecticide, isazofos, in Plainfield sand, and the microencapsulated formulation in Vittoria loam soil, using two moisture regimes, rainfall and supplementary watering. Mobility and persistence comparisons were made with an earlier lysimeter study which used emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and granular formulations of isazofos in Plainfield sand. Isazofos mobility in Plainfield sand increased in the following order for the tested formulations: microencapsulated < granular ≦ EC. Atrazine, which was applied as a suspension concentrate to all lysimeters as an internal reference, appeared to exhibit retarded disappearance rates during initial stages of the study when in the presence of granular isazofos in the rainfall treatment. The degradation of isazofos was faster in Vittoria loam than in Plainfield sand for the microencapsulated formulation in the field lysimeters (only formulation tested), and for all three formulations in a laboratory study.     

Attract-and-kill strategy. Laboratory studies on hatched larvae of Culex pipiens

The attract‐and‐kill strategy is a new pest management technique that presupposes the intelligent combination of an attracting agent (e.g. pheromone) and a killing agent (e.g. insecticide). In the present study, the potential combination of the microencapsulated synthetic oviposition pheromone 6‐acetoxy‐5‐hexadecanolide with an insecticide has been tested. Initially, polyurea microcapsules containing 6‐acetoxy‐5‐hexadecanolide, the synthetic mixture of diastereomers of the oviposition pheromone of the mosquito species Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), were studied. Laboratory bioassays were performed to confirm the bioactivity of the microencapsulated pheromone on the oviposition activity of Culex pipiens L. biotype molestus Førskal (Diptera: Culicidae) with the aim of determining the optimum dose for oviposition response. Its effect was dose dependent, revealing an optimum dose of 300 mg of dried microcapsules. Attractancy over time was also studied. The microencapsulated pheromone was found to be sufficiently attractive to gravid female mosquitoes for a period of 40 days. Finally, the combination of the synthetic pheromone with the control agent temephos showed both an acceptable oviposition activity and sufficient larvicidal effect. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

利用酚醛环氧树脂-丙二胺聚合物制备高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊

探索了以酚醛环氧树脂-二元胺聚合物为壁材制备高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊(CS)的可行性,明确了酚醛环氧树脂用量及乳化剪切转速等因素对微囊基础物化特性以及药剂释放性能和应用效果的影响。利用油溶性单体酚醛环氧树脂与水溶性单体丙二胺,在油-水界面上发生聚合反应形成不溶于水的聚合物,制备得到高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊。通过光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜观察其形貌;利用红外光谱仪分析囊壁结构;采用气相色谱法分析微囊的载药量、包封率和释放性能;经粒度分析仪测定平均粒径和粒度分布;最后采用浸叶法测定了该载药微囊的杀虫活性。结果表明:所得高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊为规则的球形,囊壁表面光滑无孔洞且伴有少量褶皱。随酚醛环氧树脂用量增加,微囊平均粒径增大,载药量下降,释放速率降低,而包封率变化不大。随乳化剪切转速增加,平均粒径下降,释放速率加快。采用优化条件制备所得微囊的平均粒径为21.33 μm,包封率为91.04%,载药量为43.97%。其释放动力学表现为:0~15 min内为快速释放阶段,累计释放量达到78.01%;15~240 min为缓慢释放阶段,在240 min时累积释放量达97.04%。4种不同粒径(2.78、5.19、11.86和23.15 μm)高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊和同剂量高效氯氟氰菊酯乳油对小地老虎幼虫的毒力测定结果表明:随着微囊粒径的减小,其毒力逐渐增大(LC50值分别为16.44、23.33、29.36和37.57 mg/L),但不同粒径微囊处理组毒力均略低于乳油(LC50值为10.41 mg/L)。研究表明,可采用酚醛环氧树脂-二元胺聚合物为壁材制备高效氯氟氰菊酯微囊,速效性好且活性易调控,在农药微囊剂制备中具有很好的应用前景。     

温度响应型吡唑醚菌酯微囊的制备与性能表征

以N-异丙基丙烯酰胺（NIPAM）和丙烯酸丁酯（BA）的共聚物为壁材,采用乳液聚合法制备了温度响应型吡唑醚菌酯微囊。通过光学显微镜、扫描电镜、激光粒度分析仪和紫外分光光度计等对该微囊的形貌、粒径、包封率和载药量进行表征,同时采用透析袋法探讨其释放性能,并以斑马鱼为试材测定其对水生生物的急性毒性。结果表明:吡唑醚菌酯微囊呈球形,平均粒径为1.04 μm,包封率为78.30%,载药量为15.66%。吡唑醚菌酯微囊具有明显的温度响应性特征,其低临界溶解温度（LCST）为28.2℃,当环境温度高于28.2℃时能够快速释放活性成分,而低于该温度时其释放行为受到抑制。吡唑醚菌酯微囊对斑马鱼急性毒性的LC50（96 h）值为有效成分4.48 mg/L,较吡唑醚菌酯原药的提高了90倍以上,因此能够显著提高吡唑醚菌酯对水生生物的安全性。     

红彩瑞猎蝽微胶囊人工饲料饲养效果评价

为开展红彩瑞猎蝽的人工规模化繁育, 研制了一种以自然猎物血淋巴为主, 烟草汁液为辅的微胶囊人工饲料, 并对其性状和饲养效果进行了评价, 以面包虫饲养的猎蝽作对照。结果表明, 人工饲料微胶囊成品率73.17%, 含水率92.35%, 综合感官评定86.8分。取食微胶囊的红彩瑞猎蝽若虫发育历期均显著长于对照, 若虫的存活率、体重均显著低于对照, 随龄期的增长与对照差异的显著性逐渐减小;处理组成虫获得率16.7%, 对照68.9%;成虫产卵前期显著长于对照, 但产卵量和卵孵化率无显著差异。猎物斜纹夜蛾幼虫密度为8头/皿时, 微胶囊饲养的红彩瑞猎蝽的捕食量显著低于对照, 但在较低猎物密度时无显著差异。此种人工饲料能基本满足红彩瑞猎蝽的生长发育, 可在一定程度上替代面包虫。     

剂型、灌水量和土壤疏松度对甲维盐在土壤中分布及防治根结线虫效果的影响

为明确剂型、灌水量等对杀线虫剂防治根结线虫效果的影响,采用土壤薄层层析和高效液相色谱法分析了乳油和微囊悬浮剂型及不同灌水量对甲维盐在不同疏松度土壤中的分布特点,并以番茄为材料进行了根结线虫田间防治试验。结果表明,微囊悬浮剂型甲维盐随水迁移能力较乳油剂型强。药量相同、单株灌水量为1 600 m L时,2种剂型在疏松土壤中分布较为均匀,其次是800m L;200 m L和400 m L时,乳油剂型的分布均匀度明显大于微囊悬浮剂型。单株灌水量800 m L时2种剂型在致密土壤中分布的均匀度显著低于疏松土壤,乳油剂型略高于微囊悬浮剂型。番茄定植后单株甲维盐有效成分为10 mg、灌水量为800 m L和1 600 m L时,乳油剂型防效分别为67.90%和79.62%,微囊悬浮剂型分别为65.00%和77.50%,差异不显著。表明田间使用甲维盐乳油或微囊悬浮剂型防治蔬菜根结线虫时应尽量在移栽后随水冲施,且单株灌水量不低于800 m L。     

绿盲蝽交配干扰剂丁酸己酯微囊的制备及田间防治效果

以乙基纤维素为壁材,丁酸己酯为芯材,采用相分离法制备了绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum交配干扰剂丁酸己酯微囊。通过正交试验研究了乳化剂700#、聚乙烯醇、乙酸乙酯及控释剂正十二烷4个因素对丁酸己酯微囊形成的影响,得到最佳制备工艺条件。利用生物显微镜对微囊的形态进行了观察,同时测定了在最优条件下制备的丁酸己酯微囊的载药量、包封率和释放速率等指标,并进行了田间药效试验。结果表明:在乙基纤维素3.0 g、丁酸己酯3.0 g、乳化剂700#1.5 g、聚乙烯醇2.0 g、乙酸乙酯30 m L和正十二烷2.0 g,以及滴加速率为5 m L/min、转速为1 000 r/min条件下制备的丁酸己酯微囊的载药量和包封率分别为21.5%和91.9%,外观较完整,粒径分布较均匀,平均粒径约为301.85μm,缓释效果较好(能持续释放35 d以上)。田间试验结果显示,调查期间悬挂丁酸己酯微囊的样区诱捕到绿盲蝽224头,与对照区相比少442头,表明丁酸己酯微囊对绿盲蝽交配具有干扰作用,可明显减少绿盲蝽繁殖的数量。     

Laboratory and field tests of spray-dried and granular formulations of a Bacillus thuringiensis strain with insecticidal activity against the sugarcane borer

Formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) with insecticidal activity against the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were developed and tested under laboratory and field conditions. The formulations were prepared using biodegradable polymers such as modified corn starch as an encapsulating agent, gelatin as an adherent, powdered sugarcane as a feeding stimulant and a Bt var. kurstaki GM-34 strain from a non-sugarcane region as the active ingredient. The spore-crystal complex of this strain was mixed at three different concentrations (30, 70 and 100 g kg(-1)) with the other ingredients. The blends were prepared as spray-dried and granular formulations, and then submitted to laboratory tests with two day old larvae of D. saccharalis and field tests in sugarcane crops with natural sugarcane borer infestation. Spray-dried formulations in laboratory bioassays caused mortality near 100% with all three concentrations, and granular formulations caused mortality around 84%. The field tests showed that spray-dried formulations at 70 and 100 g kg(-1) concentrations were as effective as a commercial bioinsectide (Lepinox), while granular formulations were ineffective.     

Response of the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to soil treated with microencapsulated fenobucarb

BACKGROUND: Treating soil with insecticides is thought to be an effective method for termite control. Speed of action and repellency of insecticides are important factors for discussing their barrier effects as soil-treatment termiticides. The chemical barrier effect of microencapsulated fenobucarb against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was examined in the laboratory.RESULTS: Fenobucarb had a significantly faster lethal effect when applied to the mouthparts than to the tergites of worker termites. Soil that had been treated with > or = 50 mg kg(-1) of microencapsulated fenobucarb had a barrier effect within a single day, and could stop or retard the penetration of termites for 7 days. Microencapsulated fenobucarb did not act as a repellent, as indicated by a gradual increase in mortality at > or = 50 mg kg(-1) with slight penetration into the treated soil during the 7 day test.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that microencapsulated fenobucarb is a fast-acting termiticide, with a good barrier effect as a soil treatment, that also acts as a reduced repellent, retarding entry of termites into treated soil.     

Slow release pirimicarb granular formulations: Measurements of release rate under field conditions

Various granular formulations based on a non-disintegrating granular carrier of the aphicide, pirimicarb, were tested for release rate under natural conditions by placing the granules in small bags made of a non-woven fabric in various soils and analysing the contents at monthly periods. There was complete release from the control formulation within 1 month. The other formulations contained slow release additives. These slowed down the release rate but half of the active ingredient was still released in the first month from the formulation with the slowest release rate. It appears that if very slow rates of release are required than a different type of granule is needed. Laboratory release rates bear some relationship to field results justifying the use of laboratory tests as a method for selecting a short list of formulations for testing in the field.     

Some investigations of suspoemulsions

‘Suspoemulsions’ (SE) is the term used to describe combined formulations of solid and liquid active ingredients as dispersed systems. The parameters influencing an SE were investigated with reference to four examples (one solid and three liquid products) in various mixing ratios. Apart from the type and amount of the partners and the energy dissipation density used, the recipe and viscosity particularly had effects on the formation and properties of an SE. The solid particles in the suspension promoted the comminution of the liquid phase. However, they had practically no influence on the flow behaviour in the three degrees of comminution fineness investigated. The causes of the phenomena discovered are discussed. The storage stability of the SE was equal to that of suspension concentrate (SC) formulations. The advantageous effect of the addition of a thickener on storage stability was similar to that in the case of an SC.     

Ethyl cellulose polymer microspheres for controlled release of norfluazon

The pesticide norfluazon has been microencapsulated using ethyl cellulose to develop controlled-release formulations that decrease its mobility through the soil and protect it from photodegradation. Ethyl cellulose microspheres loaded with norfluazon were prepared by the solvent-evaporation method. To obtain the microspheres, certain conditions (pesticide/polymer ratio, percentage of emulsifying agent and solvent) were varied. The shape and size of the microspheres obtained were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Other parameters, such as solids recovery, encapsulation efficiency and pesticide loading, were also studied. The release rate of norfluazon from the different microspheres was slower than that of pure norfluazon. In particular, microspheres obtained with o-xylene, which provided the largest diameter, retarded the initial release of the pesticide relative to microspheres obtained with chloroform, or to pure norfluazon. Moreover, the studies showed that the pesticide/polymer ratio controlled the release of norfluazon, which was slower when this ratio was low. Release rates conformed to a generalised kinetic equation for a diffusion-controlled release mechanism, and the time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, t50, was calculated.     

Formulation affecting alachlor efficacy and persistence in sandy soils

BACKGROUND: The development of controlled‐release formulations of alachlor to extend the period of weed control was studied. This extended duration reduces the need for high herbicide application rates that could lead to environmental contamination. For this purpose, the influence of formulation, as well as the influence of soil characteristics, on alachlor efficacy and persistence in soil of a commercial formulation (CF) and different ethylcellulose microencapsulated formulations (MEFs) was evaluated. RESULTS: Higher alachlor rates yielded an enhanced initial herbicidal activity. The prolonged release of alachlor provided by the MEFs resulted in a higher herbicidal efficacy and a longer period of weed control compared with the effects of CF in the two soils tested (at 40 days after treatment, oat growth inhibition for CF and MEFs was 1.96% and 93.5% respectively). Soil characteristics strongly influenced alachlor efficacy and weed control by MEFs. The highest alachlor efficacy and persistence were observed in the soil with lowest microbial activity and clay and organic matter content. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MEFs can be advantageous because they permit the maintenance of the desired concentration of the herbicide in the soil for longer periods of weed control. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Verkapselung von bakteriellen Antagonisten und eines nematophagen Pilzes

Data and results are presented from a project on the development and application of hydrogel capsules for the delivery of two biological control agents, namely bacterial antagonists to control phytopathogenic fungi and a nematophagous fungus to control plant-parasitic nematodes. The focus is on encapsulation on lab and technical scales, drying and storage of the formulations, application to the greenhouse and field, and technology transfer to a biocontrol company.     

Biological effects of combining carboxin,organomercury fungicides and insecticides as seed dressings for wheat,and the effect of these combinations on adherence of the pesticides to the seed

When seeds of winter wheat were carefully dressed in the laboratory with combinations of fungicides (organomercury alone or organomercury plus the systemic fungicide carboxin) and insecticides (aldrin, carbophenothion or chlorfenvinphos as liquid formulations, or a γ-BHC powder formulation) so as to ensure that nearly all the recommended amounts of the active ingredients stuck to them, the insecticides gave good insect control, but γ-BHC with organomercury fungicide decreased the number of plants that germinated, and γ-BHC with carboxin and organomercury was even more damaging. Commercially dressed seeds had only about 30 to 60% of the target dose of fungicides, but more than 80% of the target doses of the liquid insecticides aldrin, carbophenothion and chlorfenvinphos. With combinations of powder fungicide and liquid insecticide, greater amounts of pesticide on the seed were obtained if the insecticide was put on first. Because of unusually late sowings and little fungal infestation, neither laboratory nor commercially treated seeds provided good tests for control of smut.     

氟乐灵微囊的制备、表征及其光稳定性研究

为增强氟乐灵的光稳定性,提高其有效利用率,以壳聚糖(CS)和甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)为壁材,采用原位聚合法制备了氟乐灵微囊,并测定了其外观形态、粒径及其分布、包封率和载药量,同时研究了其释放特性及其在土壤和水中的光稳定性。结果表明:所制备的氟乐灵微囊呈规则球形;粒径在3~10μm之间,平均粒径为6.5μm;包封率和载药量分别为79%和45%;该微囊具有良好的缓释性能,释放以Fick扩散为主;与氟乐灵乳油相比,氟乐灵微囊的光稳定性显著增强,在试验条件下,其在土壤表面和水中的光解半衰期分别为22 d和173 min。