Effectiveness of allyl acetate as a fumigant against five stored grain beetle pests

Five esters, butyl acetate, allyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate, isopropyl acetate and propyl acetate, were screened as fumigants in the laboratory for 24 h at 27 (+/-2) degrees C against the adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F), Sitophilus oryzae (L) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Of the compounds tested, allyl acetate was the most toxic, with LD(99) values of 7.56, 12.81 and 11.42 mg litre(-1) against R dominica, S oryzae and T castaneum, respectively. Tests with allyl acetate against mixed-age cultures of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L), R dominica, S oryzae and T castaneum revealed that doses of 50-150 mg litre(-1) with 24-120-h exposures were necessary to achieve 100% mortality of all life stages. Cryptolestes ferrugineus was the most tolerant insect tested, whilst R dominica was highly susceptible. The insect toxicity data indicates that allyl acetate has potential as a fumigant of stored food grains.     

Effect of chitin-synthesis inhibitors on stored-product beetles

The fecundity of four important coleopteran stored-grain pests, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) was assessed after exposure to wheat treated with five benzoylphenyl ureas (BPUs), members of the chitin-synthesis inhibitor group of insect growth regulators (IGRs). Chlorfluazuron was found to control all four species more effectively than triflumuron, teflubenzuron, flufenoxuron or diflubenzuron. Two weeks of exposure of parents to 0.5 mg kg ?1 of all the BPUs, except diflubenzuron, inhibited almost all F1 production and all the F2 production of each species. The fecundities of T. castaneum and O. surinamensis recovered almost to their untreated levels after two weeks of exposure to 1 mg kg ?1 of BPUs followed by two weeks on untreated wheat, but the effect of the exposure persisted for at least two weeks on untreated wheat in adult S. oryzae and to a lesser extent in R. dominica. The mean F1 response of the four species after two weeks of exposure to four doses showed clearly that the four newer BPUs were all similar in their overall effectiveness and significantly more effective than diflubenzuron, although diflubenzuron was equally effective against S. oryzae. At 0.1 mg kg ?1 triflumuron was less effective against O. surinamensis, while teflubenzuron and flufenoxuron were not very effective against the rice weevil, S. oryzae. Chlorfluazuron provided the most effective control of all four stored-product pest species, including the weevil, S. oryzae. The BPUs show particular potential for use in the stored-product industry because low dosages will effectively control the rice weevil in addition to the other major pest species.     

Management of five stored-product insects in wheat with pirimiphos-methyl and pirimiphos-methyl plus synergized pyrethrins

Hard red winter wheat was treated with pirimiphos-methyl at 4, 6 and 8 mg kg(-1), synergized pyrethrins at 0.38, 0.75, 1.13 and 1.5 mg kg(-1), and combinations of the two insecticides, to conduct laboratory bioassays against four beetle pests of stored grain, red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), rusty grain beetle Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F), and rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L), and one moth pest, Indianmeal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hubner). Beetle adults and P interpunctella larvae survived well on control wheat, producing a large number of progeny (65-1037 insects per container). Kernel damage in control wheat among the insect species ranged from 9 to 99%. On pirimiphos-methyl-treated wheat, mortality of R dominica adults was > or =72%, but that of the other beetle species and P interpunctella larvae was 100%. Progeny were not produced on pirimiphos-methyl-treated wheat, and the kernel damage was negligible (< or =1%). Synergized pyrethrins were ineffective against the five insect pests. Pirimiphos-methyl combined with synergized pyrethrins was not superior to pirimiphos-methyl alone against the five insect pests. Pirimiphos-methyl is not registered in the USA for use on wheat, but our results suggest that it could be a viable grain protectant at rates of 4-8 mg kg(-1).     

Long-term persistence and efficacy of spinosad against Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) in wheat

A laboratory study was undertaken to determine the persistence and efficacy of spinosad against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in wheat stored for 9 months at 30 degrees C and 55 and 70% relative humidity. The aim was to investigate the potential of spinosad for protecting wheat from R. dominica during long-term storage in warm climates. Wheat was treated with spinosad at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg kg(-1) grain and sampled after 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5 and 9 months of storage for bioassays and residue analyses. Residues were estimated to have declined by 30% during 9 months of storage at 30 degrees C and there was no effect of relative humidity. Spinosad applied at 0.5 or 1 mg kg(-1) was completely effective for 9 months, with 100% adult mortality after 14 days of exposure and no live F1 adults produced. Adult mortality was <100% in some samples of wheat treated with 0.1 mg kg(-1) of spinosad, and live progeny were produced in all samples treated at this level. The results show that spinosad is likely to be an effective grain protectant against R. dominica in wheat stored in warm climates.     

Phosphine resistance, respiration rate and fitness consequences in stored-product insects

Resistance to fumigants has been frequently reported in insect pests of stored products and is one of the obstacles in controlling these pests. The authors studied phosphine resistance and its physiological basis in adult insects of 12 populations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae), ten populations of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrichidae) and eight populations of Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. (Silvanidae) from Brazil, and the possible existence of fitness costs associated with phosphine resistance in the absence of this fumigant. The bioassays for the detection of phosphine resistance followed the FAO standard method. The production of carbon dioxide and the instantaneous rate of population increase (r(i)) of each population of each species were correlated with their resistance ratios at the LC(50). The resistance ratio at LC(50) in T. castaneum ranged from 1.0- to 186.2-fold, in R. dominica from 2.0- to 71.0-fold and in O. surinamensis from 1.9- to 32.2-fold. Ten populations of T. castaneum, nine populations of R. dominica and seven populations of O. surinamensis were resistant to phosphine. In all three species there was significant association (P < 0.05) between respiration rate and phosphine resistance. The populations with lower carbon dioxide production showed a higher resistance ratio, suggesting that the lower respiration rate is the physiological basis of phosphine resistance by reducing the fumigant uptake in the resistant insects. Conversely, populations with higher r(i) showed lower resistance ratios, which could indicate a lower rate of reproduction of the resistant populations compared with susceptible populations. Thus, management strategies based on the interruption of phosphine fumigation may result in reestablishment of susceptibility, and shows good potential for more effective management of phosphine-resistant populations.     

Effect of exposure period on degree of dominance of phosphine resistance in adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Degree of dominance of phosphine resistance was investigated in adults of Rhyzopertha dominica F and Sitophilus oryzae L. Efficacy of the grain fumigant phosphine depends on both concentration and exposure period, which raises the possibility that dominance levels vary with exposure period. New and published data were used to test this possibility in adults of R dominica and S oryzae fumigated for periods of up to 144 h. The concentrations required for control of homozygous resistant and susceptible strains and their F1 hybrids decreased with increasing exposure period. For both species the response lines for the homozygous resistant and susceptible strains and their F1 hybrids were parallel. Therefore, neither dominance level nor resistance factor was affected by exposure period. Resistance was incompletely recessive and the level of dominance, calculated at 50% mortality level, was -0.59 for R dominica and -0.65 for S oryzae. The resistant R dominica strain was 30.9 times more resistant than the susceptible strain, compared with 8.9 times for the resistant S oryzae strain. The results suggest that developing discriminating doses for detecting heterozygote adults of either species will be difficult.     

Improved efficacy of ethyl formate against stored grain insects by combination with carbon dioxide in a 'dynamic' application

Ethyl formate is being evaluated as a fumigant for stored grain as it is a potential alternative to the ozone-depleting fumigant methyl bromide and to phosphine, which is under pressure owing to the development of strong resistance in stored grain insects. However, use of ethyl formate faces significant challenges, such as poor penetration through grain, significant losses to grain sorption, high concentrations of fumigant required to control insects, and flammability risks, which have limited its further development. In this study it was found that the combination of carbon dioxide (5-20%) with ethyl formate significantly enhanced efficacy of the fumigant against external living stages of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F., and the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Dynamic application of ethyl formate and carbon dioxide mixture (100 mg litre-1 ethyl formate, 20% CO2) pumped through a model silo containing wheat (50 kg) for one gas exchange was also investigated. A flow rate of 6 litres min-1 gave a relatively even distribution of fumigant throughout the grain column and similar mortality levels among cultures of S. oryzae and T. castaneum placed at three positions, the top, middle and bottom of the column. Mortality of 99.8% of mixed stage cultures of T. castaneum and 95.1% of S. oryzae was achieved in 3 h exposures to 111 and 185 mg ethyl formate h litre-1 respectively applied by the dynamic method. It is concluded that the combination of carbon dioxide with ethyl formate and dynamic application enhances distribution and efficacy of the fumigant against stored grain insects.     

The action of phosphine against the eggs of phosphine-resistant and -susceptible strains of Rhyzopertha dominica F

The effect of phosphine at exposure periods of 24, 48 and 120 h on hatching and mortality of 0- to 1-day-old eggs of susceptible (TN6) and resistant (FC10) strains of Rhyzopertha dominica of field origin was investigated. The fumigant affected hatching in both the strains. In a 48-h exposure at 27 (+/- 2) degrees C, the LD99 doses for the eggs of TN6 and FC10 were 0.56 and 3.25 mg litre-1, respectively. Significant reduction in hatching was observed in treated batches with progressive increase of phosphine dose in the first 2-3 days. On subsequent days the numbers hatching were often similar to those in controls, and sometimes exceeded control hatch, especially following a 5-day exposure. A critical change in the order of susceptibility of egg and adult stages of the two strains was noticed. In 48-h exposures, eggs of the susceptible strain were more tolerant than their adults, whilst the reverse was true in the resistant strain.     

臭氧对不同磷化氢抗性储粮害虫作用效果研究

为探明臭氧对主要储粮害虫的熏蒸效果及其与磷化氢抗性的关系,本研究采用臭氧发生装置测定浓度为0.84 g/m^3臭氧对5种主要储粮害虫(赤拟谷盗、杂拟谷盗、玉米象、锈赤扁谷盗、谷蠹)的熏蒸效果,及对具有不同磷化氢抗性的赤拟谷盗(抗性系数为1.7~862.7)和杂拟谷盗(抗性系数为2.3~144.7)的毒力效果,并统计分析了试虫经臭氧熏蒸1 h后在不同时间内的行为状态差异。研究结果表明:在0.84 g/m^3臭氧浓度下,5种害虫对臭氧均具有较强敏感性,其LT50在0.58~1.53 h,其中谷蠹对臭氧的耐受性相对最强;赤拟谷盗和杂拟谷盗的不同磷化氢抗性品系对臭氧的敏感性差异较小,表明磷化氢与臭氧无交互抗性。经臭氧熏蒸1 h后,试虫有正常爬行、非正常爬行和死亡3种行为状态,其中较大比例的试虫(24%~66%)处于非正常爬行状态,且持续时间较长,约10 d后此部分试虫恢复正常或死亡。结果表明,臭氧对储粮害虫具有高效性和广谱性,且与磷化氢无交互抗性,可作为储粮害虫防治及磷化氢抗性治理药剂。     

An assessment of methacrifos as a grain protectant and its efficacy against oryzaephilus surinamensis L., Tribolium castaneum herbst,Sitophilus granarius L., Sitophilus oryzae L., Acarus siro L., Glycyphagus destructor schrank and Tyrophagus longior gervais

A trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy of methacrifos against susceptible and multi-resistant strains of four species of insect and three species of mite. Methacrifos was applied to two separate 20-tonne loads of English wheat which were then stored under ambient conditions for 24 weeks. The efficacy of methacrifos was assessed using established bioassay techniques which showed complete control for 24 weeks of all susceptible insects except S. oryzae, where there were survivors at week 24. Methacrifos also gave 100% mortality of resistant O. surinamensis for 24 weeks. There was >95% mortality for 16 weeks of resistant strains of T. castaneum and of resistant S. granarius and S. oryzae for 20 weeks. After S. granarius and S. oryzae were removed, the grain was incubated for 10 weeks. Subsequent F₁ emergence was considerably less from the treatments than from the controls. Methacrifos produced 100% mortality for T. longior for 24 weeks, but control of G. destructor fluctuated and was <100% at week 24. There were survivors of A. siro from week 4.     

Toxicity of cyanogen to insects of stored grain

Range-finding studies on the toxicity of cyanogen to all stages of five species of stored product Coleoptera are reported. The species were Rhyzopertha dominica (F), Sitophilus granarius (L), Sitophilus Oryzae (L), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Exposures for 24 h to cyanogen at 1.3 mg litre(-1) controlled all external stages. Control of internal stages of Sitophilus species was achieved by a 5-day exposure to initial concentrations between 13.7 and 27.4 mg litre(-1), whereas R. dominica was controlled at 13.7 mg litre(-1). Cyanogen showed similar toxicity to all tested external stages and, in this respect, was more similar to methyl bromide than to phosphine. Its toxicity to insects increased with both relative humidity and concentration of carbon dioxide. Cyanogen was toxic to insects whether applied as a gas or in an aqueous solution.     

Influence of killing agents and water on the capture of six coleoptera species in probe traps

The introduction of propylene glycol, DDVP and water inside perforated probe traps was evaluated on the basis of their effectiveness in trapping adults of six species of Coleoptera infesting stored cereals. Adults ofSitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Tenebroides mauritanicus, Rhyzopertha dominica andOryzaephilus surinamen-sis were placed in plastic cylindrical bins each containing 14 kg of wheat. One probe trap was then introduced into each container and the adults trapped were counted 72 h later. Experiments were conducted at two population densities, of 30 adults (approx. one insect per 0.5 kg of wheat) and 90 adults (approx. three adults per 0.5 kg of wheat) of each species per container. The highest percentage of adults trapped was observed forC. ferrugineus andT. castaneum, and the lowest forR. dominica andS. oryzae. No significant differences in number of adults captured (% of the total number of adults) was noted between the two population density levels. At the lower density, the presence of killing agents in the traps did not increase the captures significantly; on the other hand, at the higher density, the killing agents helped to increase significantly the catches of 5.oryzae, T. castaneum, T. mauritanicus andO. surinamensis, as compared with the catches in the control traps. No significant differences were noted forC. ferrugineus andR. dominica.     

An assessment of chlorpyrifos-methyl,etrimfos, fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl as grain protectants

Trials were carried out over two consecutive years to compare the efficacy of chlorpyrifos-methyl, etrimfos, fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl against susceptible and organophosphorus-resistant strains of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, Sitophilus granarius L. and Oryzaephilus surinamensis L., gamma-HCH-resistant strains of Acarus siro L. and Glycyphagus destructor Schrank, and a susceptible strain of Tyrophagus longior Ger-vais. Pirimiphos-methyl was not evaluated against the three mite species as data on the efficacy of this material had previously been published. Etrimfos and pirimiphos-methyl were also tested against a susceptible and an organophosphorus-resistant strain of Sitophilus oryzae L. Each pesticide was applied to two separate 20-tonne batches of English wheat and stored under ambient conditions for 36 weeks. The efficacy of the pesticides was assessed regularly over the storage period using established bioassay techniques. However, chlorpyrifos-methyl and fenitrothion were assessed against susceptible and resistant strains of S. granarius for 32 weeks only. Each of the four pesticides produced >95% mortality of the susceptible strain of all insect species tested for the entire duration of the trial with the exception of fenitrothion, when survival of T. castaneum increased after 32 weeks. Only fenitrothion failed to give 100% mortality of the resistant strain of S. granarius throughout the trial, but even so, the mortality was always >95%. Chlorpyrifos-methyl, etrimfos and pirimiphos-methyl gave much better control of the resistant T. castaneum than fenitrothion, and etrimfos gave slightly better control of resistant O. surinamensis than pirimiphos-methyl which was in turn better than chlorpyrifos-methyl at 36 weeks. Both etrimfos and pirimiphos-methyl gave 100% mortality of the susceptible and resistant strains of S. oryzae. None of the pesticides maintained 100% kill of A. siro throughout the trial and fenitrothion failed to achieve this level of mortality after only 4 weeks. Etrimfos produced 100% mortality of the other two mites species tested throughout the trial, whereas both chlorpyrifos-methyl and fenitrothion achieved this level of mortality for 32 weeks.     

Organophosphorus and synergised synthetic pyrethroid insecticides as grain protectants for stored sorghum

A field experiment was carried out on bulk sorghum stored for 26 weeks in concrete silos in South Queensland. No natural infestation occurred. Laboratory bioassays of treated grain, in which malathion-resistant strains of insects were added to grain samples, indicated that all the treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+fenvalerate (1 mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), and fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+phenothrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) controlled typical malathion-resistant strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Pirimiphos-methyl (6mg kg⁻¹)+permethrin (1mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) allowed some survival of adults and progeny production by S. oryzae after 12 weeks, and by one strain of R. dominica throughout. Chemical assays established that the residues and rates of breakdown of these grain protectants on sorghum conformed to the general pattern on other cereal grains. Residues at the conclusion of the experiment were below the individual Maximum Residue Limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

Combined treatments of spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl for management of resistant psocid pests (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) of stored grain

The combined efficacy of spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl was determined against four storage psocid pests belonging to genus Liposcelis. This research was undertaken because of the increasing importance of these psocids in stored grain and the problem of finding grain protectants to control resistant strains. Firstly, mortality and reproduction were determined for adults exposed to wheat freshly treated with either spinosad (0.5 and 1 mg kg(-1)) or chlorpyrifos-methyl (2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg(-1)) or combinations of spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl at 30 degrees C and 70% RH. There were significant effects of application rate of spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl, both individually and in combination, on adult mortality and progeny reduction of all four psocids. Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and L. decolor (Pearman) responded similarly, with incomplete control of adults and progeny at both doses of spinosad but complete control in all chlorpyrifos-methyl and combined treatments. In L. entomophila (Enderlein) and L. paeta Pearman, however, complete control of adults and progeny was only achieved in the combined treatments, with the exception of spinosad 0.5 mg kg(-1) plus chlorpyrifos-methyl 2.5 mg kg(-1) against L. entomophila. Next, combinations of spinosad (0.5 and 1 mg kg(-1)) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg(-1)) in bioassays after 0, 1.5 and 3 months storage of treated wheat were evaluated. The best treatment was 1 mg kg(-1) of spinosad plus 10 mg kg(-1) of chlorpyrifos-methyl, providing up to 3 months of protection against infestations of all four Liposcelis spp. on wheat.     

Synergised cyfluthrin and cypermethrin as grain protectants on bulk wheat

Duplicate field trials were carried out on bulk wheat in commercial silos in Queensland and New South Wales. Laboratory bioassays on samples of treated grain at intervals over 8 or 9 months storage using malathion-resistant strains of insects established that treatments were generally effective. Cyfluthrin (2 mg kg^?1) plus piperonyl butoxide (10 mg kg^?1) and cypermethrin (4 mg kg^?1) plus piperonyl butoxide (10 mg kg^?1) completely controlled two strains of Sitophilus oryzae L. Control of a third strain by the cypermethrin combination was incomplete after 11/2 months and neither controlled a multi-resistant laboratory strain. Both combinations were effective against Rhyzopertha dominica F., Tribolium castaneum Herbst and Ephestia cautella Walker. No natural infestation developed in the treated grain in any silo. Mean residues of cyfluthrin and cypermethrin after 9 months storage were 58% and 52% of the calculated application rates, respectively. Compared with overall concentrations in the wheat, residue levels were higher in bran and pollard and lower in white flour. During baking, residues decreased by up to 29%. Operators experienced respiratory irritation associated with exposure to both combinations and alternative formulations would be required for use of these materials in grain storage.     

Fumigation toxicity of volatile natural and synthetic cyanohydrins to stored-product pests and activity as soil fumigants

Insecticidal fumigation toxicity of natural and synthetic cyanohydrins was evaluated with four stored-product pests: the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst, the saw-toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis L, the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch) and the house fly, Musca domestica L. The fumigation LC50 values were calculated by probit analysis. For house flies, all but one of the cyanohydrins tested were more potent than 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone). Three were as efficacious as chloropicrin. For the lesser grain borer, all cyanohydrins tested were more insecticidal than dichloropropene, and all but one were more potent than chloropicrin. Four were as insecticidal as dichlorvos. The acetate of 1-cyano-1-hydroxy-2-propene (CHP-ace) was also tested in soil for antifungal and antibacterial activity, and inhibition of weed seed germination. CHP-ace reduced the total soil bacterial and fungal counts significantly, and was effective in inhibiting the germination of weed seeds in soil, indicating a broad spectrum of activity as a soil fumigant.     

The effects of low-volume aeration on the residues and biological effectiveness of chlorpyrifos-methyl applied to wheat

The effects of low-volume ventilation on the persistence and biological efficacy of chlorpyrifos-methyl applied to English wheat were investigated. Four 20-tonne batches of wheat were treated with a dose of 2.5 mg kg^?1 chlorpyrifos-methyl. After treatment, two of the batches were aerated continuously at a rate of 17 m³ h^?1 tonne^?1 (10 cfm tonne^?1) for 16 weeks. The remaining two batches were not aerated. Samples were collected from both aerated and non-aerated wheat at intervals over the 16-week storage period and subjected to biological assay using laboratory multi-organophosphorus-resistant strains of Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus granarius, Sitophilus oryzae and Oryzaephilus surinamensis. The samples were also analysed for chlorpyrifos-methyl residues. No differences in either the biological efficacy or the rate of chemical decomposition were detected between the aerated and non-aerated wheat.     

Influence of phosphine on hatching of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae)

The hatching and mortality response of 0- to 48-h-old eggs of field strains of the stored-product insects Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Lasioderma serricorne (F) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L) following phosphine fumigation for 24, 48 or 120 h at 27 (+/- 2) degrees C was investigated. Hatching was delayed and reduced in the first few days in a phosphine-resistant strain of C ferrugineus that was treated with 2.0-7.0 mg litre(-1) doses for 48 h (5-80% mortality) and with 1.0-2.0 mg litre(-1) for 120 h (44-84% mortality). In both the exposures there were significant increases in hatching on later days when compared with the corresponding controls. Developmental delay was, however, not evident in susceptible strains of C ferrugineus, L serricorne and O surinamensis that were exposed to phosphine for 24 h.     

The response of phosphine-resistant lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica and rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae in mixed-age cultures to varying concentrations of phosphine

The response of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae (both phosphine-resistant) in mixed-age cultures to phosphine at fixed concentration-time products (CT) of 10,500 to 168,000 microliters litre 1 h (ppm h) with either constant, rising or falling concentrations for 7 days was studied at 27 (+/- 2) degrees C. At lower CT products, rising concentrations of phosphine led to significantly fewer survivors of R dominica and S oryzae. Conversely, exposure to falling concentrations of phosphine resulted in significantly more survivors. The influence of changing concentrations of phosphine was more pronounced in S oryzae than in R dominica. In the latter, at the lower CT products of 21,000 and 42,000 microliters-1 h, the adult stage proved to be most tolerant, contrary to the accepted belief that the egg or pupal stage are always more tolerant to phosphine. The results indicate that application of phosphine in rising concentrations is more effective than in constant or falling concentrations.