The use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of stored-grain insects

The present contribution discusses the recent advances in the biological control of stored-grain insects with entomopathogenic fungi (EF). Thus, the effect of formulated vs. unformulated strains of EF and the effect of combinations of EF with other components, i.e. diatomaceous earths (DEs), chemical insecticides, natural products and natural enemies against stored-product insects are reviewed. Very few formulations of EF strains have been developed and used, of which invert emulsion formulation (water-in-oil type) is considered the most important. A synergistic effect of EF is produced by combining them with DEs, chemical insecticides and natural products but not with natural enemies belonging to arthropods. Moreover, since the action of EF against insect pests in general, and stored-grain insects in particular, is compatible with the food safety and environmental regulations, a good perspective for these biocontrol agents is expected as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. The potential areas of future research on the effective use of EF as biocontrol agents of stored-grain insects and the constraints that are associated with the registration and commercialization of EF as biopesticides under storage conditions are also discussed. Suggestions for the possible ways for implementation of this technology in storage systems are also provided in the present study.     

Management of Bemisia tabaci biotype B with botanical and mineral oils

While the toxic effects of neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, on Bemisia tabaci Genn. are well documented, few studies have evaluated other oils. We compared neem, sesame, citrus, castor, vegetable and mineral oils (1% v/v) to a chemical standard thiamethoxam (0.17 g A.I./L) against B. tabaci biotype B life stages on dry bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris L. under screenhouse conditions. Oils and thiamethoxam exhibited low ovicidal activity (<10% egg mortality). However, significant mortality occurred due to the residual activity to 1st instars that emerged from treated eggs. Overall, impacts of egg treatments were greatest for thiamethoxam (77% total mortality for eggs and 1st instars) compared with oils which were statistically similar (22–29% mortality). Larvicidal effect of oils (against 2nd instars) was greater than ovicidal effects. Highest nymphal mortality (>81%) was achieved with castor, sesame, citrus and neem oils, which was significantly greater than for thiamethoxam (65% mortality). Adult whiteflies were exposed to fresh and aged spray residues, rather than being sprayed directly. In this case, comparatively lower efficacy was achieved from oil treatments compared with thiamethoxam. While some mortality was observed from fresh residues of slow drying oils (up to 41% for castor oil), no significant control from any oil residues >3 days old was observed in our tests. The different route of exposure against adults likely reduced the effectiveness of oil treatments which act directly on the cuticle. In trials with viruliferous adult whiteflies exposed to fresh residues, none of the tested products completely prevented transmission of bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV). However, we noted reduced virus severity ratings from plants pre-treated with castor and citrus oil. We conclude that castor, sesame, citrus and neem oils have the potential to be used in whitefly management programs.     

几种植物源杀虫剂室内毒力测定及对菱纹叶蝉的田间防效

[目的]筛选冬季清园时防治菱纹叶蝉有效药剂。[方法]通过室内毒力测定试验和田间防效试验研究了印楝素等5种植物源杀虫剂对菱纹叶蝉的防治效果。[结果]冬季清园使用0.5%藜芦碱可溶性液剂防治菱纹叶蝉,持效期长,可维持10~14 d,使用0.3%印楝素乳油持效期为7 d,菱纹叶蝉对它们十分敏感,是防治菱纹叶蝉比较理想的药剂,适宜推广;生产上推荐使用0.5%藜芦碱可溶性液剂1 000倍稀释液和0.3%印楝素乳油600倍稀释液冬春伐时防治菱纹叶蝉,可有效降低越冬基数。采用1.1%百部·楝·烟乳油防治桑树上菱纹叶蝉,不仅使用量低,而且残效消解快,无残留,不污染环境,建议在第1代菱纹叶蝉发生期使用1.1%百部·楝·烟乳油1 200倍稀释液。[结论]试验结果为菱纹叶蝉的有效防治提供了理论依据。     

Being exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr has detrimental effects on the mobility of Trogoderma granarium

BACKGROUND

Sublethal effects of insecticides may negatively affect several biological and behavioral traits of insects. The lethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr have been previously showed on Trogoderma granarium, but little knowledge is available about their sublethal effects at low concentrations on both sexes. Herein, the sublethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr on the mobility of T. granarium males and females were investigated.

RESULTS

Lethal concentration (LC) values of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr were lower for T. granarium females than males. LC values on males were LC₁₀ = 0.000788 and 0.00139 mg active ingredient (a.i.) cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00350 and 0.00535 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00986 and 0.0136 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. LC on females were LC₁₀ = 0.000704 and 0.00110 mg a.i. cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00323 and 0.00428 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00925 and 0.0110 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. The walking duration of beetles exposed to LC₃₀ of pirimiphos-methyl was significantly lower than the individuals exposed to LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ of both insecticides and control ones. Pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-exposed males remained more time on their back (101.7 s) than females (46.9 s), while the latter stayed immobile longer than males (381.7 s versus 371.9 s). The highest speed was recorded for control beetles (14.17 mm s⁻¹ females vs. 12.44 mm s⁻¹ males), while the lowest speed was observed in pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-treated males (8.36 mm s⁻¹) and females (9.66 mm s⁻¹).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, males and females exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr showed reduced motility. This knowledge can be exploited further to unlock behavioral effects of insecticides for effective pest management programs in warehouses. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.