The cross-resistance to pyrethrins and eight synthetic pyrethroids,of an organophosphorus-resistant strain of the rust-red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (herbst)

Comparisons with standard susceptible insects showed that a strain of Tribolium castaneum, with a specific resistance to malathion and its carboxylic ester analogues, had no cross-resistance to topical applications of natural pyrethrins. Another strain of T. castaneum, showing resistance to many organophosphorus (OP) insecticides, was cross-resistant to pyrethrins ( × 34) and eight synthetic pyrethroids also applied topically; least cross-resistance occurred with resmethrin ( × 2.2), bioresmethrin ( × 3.3) and phenothrin ( × 4.0). Generally larger resistance factors were recorded with formulations synergised by piperonyl butoxide (PB). The greatest cross-resistance encountered was with unsynergised tetramethrin ( × 338). Apart from tetramethrin, factors of synergism did not exceed 5.7 with either the susceptible or multi-OP resistant strains. PB antagonised six of the nine pyrethroids against the multi-OP resistant strain. Antagonism also occurred with two of these six, permethrin (cis: trans ratio 1:3) and 5-prop-2-ynylfurfuryl ( 1RS)-cis,trans-chrysanthemate (‘Prothrin’), against the susceptible strain. Considering only formulations without the synergist, the most effective compounds against the susceptible strain, relative to pyrethrins, were bioresmethrin (2.7) and permethrin (2.4). Similarly with the multi-OP resistant strain the most effective compounds were bioresmethrin (28), resmethrin (14) and permethrin (6.6). Thus the LD₅₀ (the dose required to kill 50% of the test species) for bioresmethrin against the resistant strain (0.14 μg) only slightly exceeded the LD₅₀ for pyrethrins against the susceptible strain (0.12 μg).     

Disinsection of aircraft with pressure packs containing the pyrethroids,resmethrin and bioresmethrin

Pyrethrins and the pyrethroids, bioallethrin ((+) trans-chrysanthemic acid ester of (±) allethrolone), resmethrin* (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (±)-cis,trans-chrysanthemate) and bioresmethrin? (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (+)-trans-chrysanthemate) were compared for insecticidal activity against free-flying Aedes aegypti L. in a Peet-Grady chamber using kerosene solutions and an aerosol particle size. The relative potency for kill of female mosquitoes was 1; 2.3; 6.8; 8.0 respectively. In further experiments, resmethrin and bioresmethrin were compared as aerosol formulations in a Comet 4C aircraft using caged and fed female A. aegypti. Both compounds at 0.1% (by wt.) in pressure packs and 35 g of formulation per 100 m³ provided 99% kill. It is suggested that pressure packs containing 0.5% (by wt.) of either compound should be adequate for disinsection of passenger aircraft. However, bioresmethrin would appear to be the compound of choice in view of its greater biological efficiency under laboratory conditions, and consequent probable greater margin of kill in practice.     

Cockroach control in sewers in Singapore using bioresmethrin and piperonyl butoxide as a thermal fog

Cockroaches have considerable importance as vectors of disease. In tropical areas, large populations of Periplaneta americana may be found in sewers and the refuse chutes of large apartment blocks. These cockroach populations are not accessible to residual insecticide treatment with sprays but may be controlled with thermal fogs of pyrethroids. An experiment on the use of bioresmethrin (5-benzyI-3-furyimethyl-(+)-trans chrysanthemate) as 0.15% and 0.25% w/v solutions with equal amounts of synergist in kerosene discharged from a TIFA fog generator was made at Toa Payoh in Singapore. Effective control was obtained with 0.15% bioresmethrin plus 0.55% piperonyl butoxide in kerosene blown into the sewers and waste chutes initially, at four weeks, at eight weeks later and then followed by treatment every two months.     

Development of resistance to pyrethroids in field populations of danish houseflies

Houseflies (Musca domestica) on Danish farms have developed high multiresistance to organophosphorus compounds, after successive use of several OPs, mainly dimethoate, in recent years. Topical application tests 1971–73 with flies from many farms showed that the high OP-resistance did not involve resistance to pyrethroids (± the synergist piperonyl butoxide (pb)) above a level of 3–7 x, unless field pressure with synergised pyrethrum (py/pb) or other pyrethroids was applied. In 1971–72 moderate to high, often heterogeneous, pyrethroid resistance was found on a few trial farms treated frequently with pyrethroid aerosols (mainly py/pb) and in 1973 on most of 23 trial farms treated intensively with aerosols (or space spray) containing py/pb, bioresmethrin ± pb, tetramethrin/pb or tetramethrin/resmethrin. The effect of field pressure with these different pyrethroids on development of pyrethroid resistance is summarised and discussed. Maximum resistance ratios, R/S at LD₅₀-LD₉₅, were: py/pb (1:5), 40->100; bioresmethrin, 191–770; bioresmethrin/pb (1:5), 55–133; tetramethrin/pb (1:5), 171->200; tetramethrin/resmethrin (1:5), 78->370. The intensity of selection pressure with pyrethroids is believed to be an important factor. Although py/pb has been widely used as a supplementary fly control on Danish non-trial farms, pyrethroid resistance has only been found on a few of them.     

Potential of piperonyl butoxide‐synergised pyrethrins against psocids (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) for stored‐grain protection

BACKGROUND: Piperonyl butoxide (PB)‐synergised natural pyrethrins (pyrethrin:PB ratio 1:4) were evaluated both as a grain protectant and a disinfestant against four Liposcelidid psocids: Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, L. entomophila (Enderlein), L. decolor (Pearman) and L. paeta Pearman. These are key storage pests in Australia that are difficult to control with the registered grain protectants and are increasingly being reported as pests of stored products in other countries. Firstly, mortality and reproduction of adults were determined in wheat freshly treated at 0.0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg kg^?1 of pyrethrins + PB (1:4) at 30 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 2% RH. Next, wheat treated at 0.0, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg kg^?1 of pyrethrins + PB (1:4) was stored at 30 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 2% RH and mortality and reproduction of psocids were assessed after 0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 months of storage. Finally, the potential of synergised pyrethrins as a disinfestant was assessed by establishing time to endpoint mortality for adult psocids exposed to wheat treated at 3 and 6 mg kg^?1 of synergised pyrethrins after 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h of exposure. RESULTS: Synergised pyrethrins at 6 mg kg^?1 provided 3 months of protection against all four Liposcelis spp., and at this rate complete adult mortality of these psocids can be achieved within 6 h of exposure. CONCLUSION: Piperonyl butoxide‐synergised pyrethrins have excellent potential both as a grain protectant and as a disinfestant against Liposcelidid psocids. Copyright © State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced efficiency of electrostatically charged insecticide aerosols

The bioefficacy of a standard domestic aerosol insecticide has been compared with that of a similar spray in which the droplets were electrostatically charged. The aerosol was charged without the need for an external power supply, by enhancing natural charge separation processes that occur during atomisation. The charge-to-mass ratio achieved was 1.1 x 10(-4) C kg-1, compared with 2.2 x 10(-5) C kg-1 for the standard aerosol. Efficiency was assessed for insects in free flight. A direct space-spray application method was used to study the bioefficacy of these aerosols on houseflies, Musca domestica, and an indirect space-spray method on houseflies and mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus. Two levels of concentration of active ingredients were compared. At low concentrations of 1.57 g kg-1 of bioallethrin and 0.29 g kg-1 of bioresmethrin, the charged aerosol achieved a significant reduction in KDT50 (time at which 50% of the flies were knocked down), compared with the standard aerosol. In the direct spray application to houseflies, the KDT50 was reduced by 50%, while in the indirect spray the KDT50 was reduced by 40%. In the indirect spray of mosquitoes, the KDT50 was reduced by 22%. With higher active ingredient concentrations of 2.09 g kg-1 for bioallethrin and 0.39 g kg-1 for bioresmethrin, the charged aerosol also demonstrated faster knockdown than the standard, but the improvement was less marked. In the direct spray application to houseflies, the KDT50 was reduced by 21% compared with the standard aerosol, while in the indirect spray the KDT50 was reduced by 16%. In the indirect spray of mosquitoes, the KDT50 was reduced by 24%. The percentage mortality after 24 h was also increased with the charged aerosol. Charge carried by the droplets results in increased interception of the insecticide, as the droplets are attracted to the insects in flight and space charge effects within the aerosol could cause improved dispersion in the test chamber.     

The effects of pyrethroids on the electrical activity of neurosecretory cells from the brain of Rhodnius prolixus

The effects of pyrethroids on the on-going electrical activity of the axons of neurosecretory cells from the brain of fifth instar Rhodnius prolixus have been studied using extracellular electrodes. Low concentrations of the pyrethroids decamethrin, bioresmethrin, permethrin, and bioallethrin all produce dramatic increases in the overall frequency and dramatic changes in the pattern of electrical activity when applied directly to the exposed brain and corpora cardiaca in an otherwise intact insect. This change in activity was brought about by a recruitment in active units and the production of phasic acivity. A doubling of frequency over that of controls was brought about by low doses of the pyrethroids, namely decamethrin, 1 × 10^?10M; bioresmethrin, 2 × 10^?10M; permethrin, 1 × 10^?9M; and bioallethrin, 2 × 10^?7M. Similar hyperactivity of this system occurred during intoxication of intact insects following topical application of LD₉₅ bioresmethrin. The enhanced sensitivity shown by neurosecretory cells over that of other cell types is discussed, as is the possibility that the increases in electrical activity of neurosecretory axons may result in massive neurohormonal release and thereby contribute to the eventual poisoning of the insect.     

Pyrethroid action on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor/channel

The interactions of natural pyrethrins and nine pyrethroids with the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor/channel complex of Torpedo electric organ membranes were studied. None caused significant reduction in [³H]ACh binding to the receptor sites, but all inhibited [³H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin ([³H]H₁₂-HTX) binding to the channel sites in presence of carbamylcholine. Allethrin inhibited [³H]H₁₂-HTX binding noncompetitively, but [³H]imipramine binding competitively, suggesting that allethrin binds to the receptor's channel sites that bind imipramine. The pyrethroids were divided into two types according to their actions: type I, which included pyrethrins, allethrin, bioallethrin, resmethrin, and tetramethrin, was more potent in inhibiting [³H]H₁₂-HTX binding and acted more rapidly (i.e., in <30 sec). Type II, which included permethrin, fluvalinate, cypermethrin and fenvalerate, was less potent and their potency increased slowly with time. Also, inhibition of the initial rate of [³H]H₁₂-HTX binding by type I compounds increased greatly by the presence of the agonist carbamylcholine, but this was not so with type II compounds. The receptor-regulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ flux into Torpedo microsacs was inhibited by pyrethrins and pyrethroids, suggesting that their action on this receptor function is inhibitory. There was very poor correlation between the potencies of pyrethrins and pyrethroids in inhibiting [³H]H₁₂-HTX binding and their toxicities to house flies, mosquitoes, and the American cockroach. However, the high affinities that several pyrethroids have for this nicotinic ACh receptor suggest that pyrethroids may have a synaptic site of action in addition to their well known effects on the axonal channels.     

Time-dose-response relationships of pyrethroid insecticides with special reference to knockdown

The relationship between incoordination, knockdown and mortality was investigated by following the course of poisoning in Schistocerca gregaria of two synthetic pyrethroids, bioresmethrin and bioallethrin. Kinetics describing theonset of these responses as a function of dose are interpreted in terms of the dynamics of penetration and detoxication. The possibility of the same site of action for knockdown and kill is briefly discussed.     

The relationship between brain levels of cismethrin and bioresmethrin in female rats and neurotoxic effects

The oral toxicity of 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-(1R, cis)-chrysanthemate (cismethrin) to female rats decreased as their environmental temperature was raised. Acute oral LD₅₀ values increased from 157 mg/kg at 4°C to 197 mg/kg at 20°C and to > 1000 mg/kg at 30°C. Cismethrin was much more toxic given intravenously when the LD₅₀ was 4.5 mg/kg. This value did not change at different environmental temperatures. Irrespective of the environmental temperature, or route of adminstration, following the respective LD₅₀'s cismethrin caused tremors in rats when brain levels of 0.5–1.0 μg/g were reached and, at death, brain concentrations were 3.9–5.1 μg/g. These results suggested that the accumulation of cismethrin by the brain could be used as a model for the nervous system as a whole. The isomeric 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-(1R, trans)-chrysanthemate (bioresmethrin) was about 50 times less toxic to rats than cismethrin. After an intravenous LD₅₀, tremors started when brain concentrations were 4–5 μg/g. At death, brain levels were 25–35 μg/g. Plasma esterases were about equally active in hydrolysing cismethrin and bioresmethrin, whereas liver microsomal esterases hydrolyzed bioresmethrin over 10 times more rapidly than cismethrin. It is suggested that the lower toxicity of bioresmethrin is not only due to its faster metabolism but to an intrinsically lower toxicity at the critical site of action in the nervous system.     

Characteristics and implications of knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans westw. by deltamethrin

Low doses of deltamethrin cause prolonged knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans. Fifty per cent of female flies, treated with the LD₁₅-(48 h) of deltamethrin, failed to regain their capacity for normal flight for 30 h, compared with 6 h for bioresmethrin and 4 h for permethtin at the equivalent dose. Recovery after exposure to tetramethrin occurred within 1 h. The knockdown effect of deltamethrin on males was even more pronounced although, with both sexes, the onset of the effect was delayed for about 3 h. It is suggested that this prolonged knockdown effect of deltamethrin, at extremely low application rates, may make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the compound against the tsetse fly.     

Trifluralin effects on the development of cotton in arid zone soils

The effect of trifluralin on the growth and development of cotton plants in low-organic-matter soils from the northern Negev of Israel was studied. Trifluralin exhibited linear sorp tion isotherms on these soils, Trifluralin and dinitramine losses from soils under varying moisture regimes and application practices were determined in open systems. The data were fitted to both first-order and biexponential kinetic equations. In about 50% of cases the biexponential kinetic model provided a better fit to the data, but no relationship could be found between the model parameters and environmental or soil properties. Losses were generally greater at field capacity than at 50% field capacity, and at 27°C than at 15°C, and in soils with a lower organic matter content. The trifluralin application rate was negatively correlated with vegetative growth parameters of cotton, but the correlation became weaker with increasing soil organic carbon content. Trifluralin delayed boll production in coarse textured soils, the longest delay occurring at higher application rates. It is concluded that in light soils that contain very little organic matter, trifluralin rates must be maintained at the minimum level required for adequate weed control to prevent damage to crops.     

Changes in cross-resistance patterns of houseflies selected with natural pyrethrins or resmethrin (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate)

A pyrethrins-resistant strain of houseflies, 213ab, previously selected with a 1:10 (by wt.) mixture of natural pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, was further selected either with natural pyrethrins alone (strain NPR) or with resmethrin (strain 104). After 50 generations the two populations differed in their resistance to the natural and synthetic esters. Both were resistant to all pyrethroids. Part of strain NPR was immune and very much more resistant than strain 104 to the natural pyrethrins and allethrin, but it was only 2–3 times more resistant than strain 104 against the new synthetic esters resmethrin (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate), bio-resmethrin (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (+)-trans-chrysanthemate), pyresmethrin (5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl pyrethrate) and 5B2Me3FC (5-benzyl-2-methyl-3-furylmethyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate). Pretreatment of both strains with sesamex diminished but did not eliminate resistance. Synergism was greater in strain NPR, especially with natural pyrethrins and allethrin. Both strains had great resistance to DDT indicating that resistance to DDT and pyrethroids is linked. Differences in resistance to different compounds suggest that at least three factors can confer resistance, one of which, pen, delays penetration and two others involve detoxication, one py a on the acid side of the ester linkage and the other, py b, on the alcohol side. Natural pyrethrins and resmethrin select for different groupings of these factors. Treatment with resmethrin does not select for py b presumably because this mechanism cannot attack the resmethrin molecule. Similarly when piperonyl butoxide is added to the natural pyrethrins py b is inhibited and so removed from selection pressure. Under these conditions, the strain produced contains the same factors as one selected by resmethrin and so shows the same small resistance to natural pyrethrins alone.     

The resistance to eighteen toxicants of a strain of Musca domestica L. collected from a farm in England

A sample of houseflies initially collected from a pig farm and found to be resistant to bendiocarb, DDT, gamma-HCH, pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (PB), tetrachlorvinphos and trichlorfon, was tested for resistance to knockdown by other toxicants. At the KD₅₀ response level, resistance factors were obtained for: permethrin (× 141), deltamethrin (×96), bioresmethrin + PB (×37), resmethrin + PB (×33), fenitrothion (×94), bromophos (×58), iodofenphos (×42), pirimiphos-methyl (×30), dichlorvos (×22), dimethoate (×9), diazinon (×8), methomyl (×4) and methomyl + PB (×4). The slopes of the dose–response lines were lower for the farm strain than for a susceptible strain. This resulted in an increase of resistance factors at the KD₉₅ level by an average of × 1.6. The houseflies on the farm could not be controlled using space sprays of pyrethrins + PB, although resistance to this toxicant was only ×12. However, control was achieved with a methomyl bait.     

Genetics of resistance of pyrethroid-selected houseflies,Musca domestica L.

Four resistance factors were isolated genetically from the NPR strain of houseflies (Musca domestica L.), which resists natural pyrethrins, and were characterised toxicologically. The four factors were : pen, which reduces the rate of penetration of insecticides through the cuticle; kdr-NPR, a general pyrethroid resistance mechanism unaffected by the synergist sesamex; py-ses, a mechanism of resistance to natural pyrethrins that can be suppressed by sesamex; and py-ex, a factor that gives strong resistance to synergised natural pyrethrins and to the new synthetic esters, e.g. resmethrin, but little or none to natural pyrethrins alone.     

The absorption of cypermethrin in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fab.): Effects of volatilisation,temperature, age,sex and parasitisation by Malameba locustae (King and Taylor)

The residues from metered doses of cypermethrin were recovered from excised portions of grasshopper cuticle to determine losses by volatilisation. Residues from similar doses were also recovered from the cuticles of intact grasshoppers and from whole body homogenates after rinsing the cuticle, to determine rates of absorption and losses from metabolism. Residues were recovered from males and females one week and three weeks after fledging in grasshoppers infected with Malameba locustae and in uninfected ones. They were maintained at 15 or 30°C and sampled from each combination of factors at 4, 8, 16, 24, 30 and 48 h after treatment. There was no measurable loss of cypermethrin by volatilisation up to 72 h after application to excised portions of cuticle at either 15 or 30°C. In all combinations of factors, more cypermethrin was recovered externally (P <0.05) from grasshoppers held at 15°C than those held at 30°C and more from infected grasshoppers than from those that were uninfected. Significantly more cypermethrin was also recovered externally from males than from females (P <0.05) and more from infected one-week-old grasshoppers than those that were three weeks old. At 15°C there was a gradual trend towards accumulation of cypermethrin internally, but at 30°C an initial trend towards accumulation was followed by one of decline. Residual cypermethrin recovered could in general be related to the negative temperature coefficient of toxicity, to a decreased sensitivity to cypermethrin in infected grasshoppers and to an increased sensitivity in older grasshoppers.     

Effects of organic‐farming‐compatible insecticides on four aphid natural enemy species

BACKGROUND: The toxicities of pyrethrins + rapeseed oil, pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (PBO), potassium salts of fatty acids and linseed oil were assessed in the laboratory on the parasitic wasp Aphidius rhopalosiphi (Destefani‐Perez), the ladybird Adalia bipunctata (L.), the rove beetle Aleochara bilineata (Gyll.) and the carabid beetle Bembidion lampros (Herbst.). The methods selected were residual contact toxicity tests on inert and natural substrates. RESULTS: Both the pyrethrin products led to 100% mortality in the adult parasitic wasps and ladybird larvae on glass plates and plants. The pyrethrins + PBO formulation was toxic for B. lampros on sand and natural soil, but the pyrethrins + rapeseed oil formulation was harmless for this species. Insecticidal soaps were harmless for all these beneficial species. None of the tested products significantly affected the parasitism of the onion fly pupae by A. bilineata. CONCLUSION: The results indicated the potentially high toxicity of natural pyrethrins for beneficial arthropods. Although this toxicity needs to be confirmed in field conditions, the toxicity levels obtained in the laboratory were similar to or higher than those of several synthetic insecticides known to be toxic in the field. Insecticidal soaps could be considered as an alternative for aphid control in organic farming in terms of selectivity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Acute lethal and behavioral sublethal responses of two stored-product psocids to surface insecticides

BACKGROUND: The psocids Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and L. entomophila (Enderlein) (Liposcelididae) are emerging pests of stored products. Although their behavior, particularly their high mobility, may contribute to the reported relatively low efficacy of insecticides against them, studies to investigate this have not been conducted. The present study aimed to assess the label rate efficacy of three commercial insecticides (β‐cyfluthrin, chlorfenapyr and pyrethrins) applied on concrete surfaces against L. bostrychophila and L. entomophila, and also their sublethal effect on the mobility of these species. RESULTS: The synthetic insecticides β‐cyfluthrin and chlorfenapyr showed high short‐term efficacy (LT₉₅≤15 h) against both psocid species, unlike the natural pyrethrins (LT₉₅ ≥ 4 days). Liposcelis bostrychophila was slightly more tolerant (≥1.2×) than L. entomophila to all three insecticides. Behavioral assays with fully sprayed and half‐sprayed concrete arenas indicated that the insecticides reduced the mobility of both species. Pyrethrins seem to elicit weak repellence in L. bostrychophila. CONCLUSION: β‐Cyfluthrin and chlorfenapyr were effective against both psocid species, but not pyrethrins. The mobility of both species does not seem to play a major role in the differential selectivity observed, but the lower mobility of L. bostrychophila may be a contributing factor to its higher insecticide tolerance. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of temperature on the volatilization of triallate and terbutryn from two soils

The rate of volatilization of the formulated herbicides triallate and terbutryn was studied in a volatilization chamber under controlled laboratory conditions using two soils with sand and loam textures, respectively. The influence of the most relevant experimental variables was investigated by measuring the amount of volatilized herbicides after their incorporation to the soils. The effect of soil temperature was studied in the range from 5 °C to 25 °C. Initial soil water content was fixed at field capacity depending on the physical characteristics of each soil. The volatilized herbicide was trapped in C18 cartridges during different time intervals and analyzed by HPLC. The volatilization losses for triallate ranged from 7 to 58%, whereas the losses for terbutryn ranged from 1 to 6%. Sorption and volatilization resulted in two coupled effects of major importance in these experiments: the sorption process was favoured as temperature decreased, whereas volatilization increased as temperature increased. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Responses of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) to pirimiphos-methyl, spinosad, and combinations of pirimiphos-methyl and synergized pyrethrins

Field control failures with pirimiphos-methyl against the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), in Weslaco, Texas, USA, led us to investigate the susceptibility of this particular strain to pirimiphos-methyl, spinosad, pyrethrins synergized with piperonyl butoxide, and pirimiphos-methyl combined with synergized pyrethrins. In laboratory bioassays, 50 eggs of C cephalonica were exposed to untreated and insecticide-treated corn and sunflower seeds to determine larval survival after 21 days, egg-to-adult emergence after 49 days, and larval damage to seeds at both exposure periods. Pirimiphos-methyl at both 4 and 8 mg kg(-1) did not prevent larval survival or egg-to-adult emergence of C cephalonica on either corn or sunflower seeds, and seed damage was evident at both rates. The C cephalonica strain was highly susceptible to spinosad at 0.5 and 1 mg kg(-1). At both spinosad rates, reduction in larval survival, egg-to-adult emergence, and seed damage relative to the control treatment was > or = 93% on both corn and sunflower seeds. Pirimiphos-methyl and spinosad were generally more effective against C cephalonica on corn than sunflower seeds. The C cephalonica strain was completely controlled on corn treated with 1.5 mg kg(-1) of pyrethrins synergized with 15 mg kg(-1) of piperonyl butoxide. Many larvae survived and became adults on corn treated with synergized pyrethrins at < or = 0.75 mg kg(-1). Corn treated with pirimiphos-methyl at 4, 6 or 8 mg kg(-1) in combination with 0.38 to 1.5 mg kg(-1) of synergized pyrethrins reduced larval survival by > or = 95%, egg-to-adult emergence by > or = 97%, and seed damage by > or = 94%. Our results suggest that the C cephalonica strain can be controlled on corn by combining pirimiphos-methyl with synergized pyrethrins or with synergized pyrethrins at the labeled rate. Although spinosad is not currently labeled for use on stored corn and sunflower seeds, it appears to be effective against C cephalonica on both commodities at very low rates.