Field evaluation of vaporised ethyl formate and carbon dioxide for fumigation of stored wheat

BACKGROUND: Vapormate? is a cylinderised non‐flammable mixture of ethyl formate (16.7% by weight) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) that has been developed as a rapid fumigant of stored grain. Four field trials were undertaken on wheat in 50 t farm silos to demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic application. To assess treatment efficacy, each trial tested mixed stages of Rhyzopertha dominica F. (>11 000), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (>1500) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (>13 000) in mesh cages positioned through the centre of the grain bulk and on the grain surface. Ethyl formate and CO₂ concentrations were measured in the silo during fumigation and in ambient air outside the 6 m fumigation zone. Application rates of 420, 660 and 940 g m^?3 of ethyl formate/CO₂ formulation and exposure times of 24, 3 and 72 h, respectively, were examined using wheat of 10.4–11.7% moisture content and grain temperatures between 2 and 32 °C. RESULTS: All life stages of R. dominica and T. castaneum were fully controlled under all conditions tested, and mortality of all life stages of S. oryzae was greater than 98%. CONCLUSION: Dynamic application of vaporised ethyl formate and CO₂ to 50 t silos proved safe to operators and rapidly effective against stored‐grain insects on cold to warm grain. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Ethyl formate plus methyl isothiocyanate--a potential liquid fumigant for stored grains

BACKGROUND: Methyl bromide is being phased out for use on stored commodities, as it is listed as an ozone‐depleting substance, and phosphine is the fumigant widely used on grains. However, phosphine resistance occurs worldwide, and phosphine fumigation requires a long exposure period and temperatures of > 15 °C. There is an urgent requirement for the development of a fumigant that kills insects quickly and for phosphine resistance management. This paper reports on a new fumigant formulation of 95% ethyl formate plus 5% methyl isothiocyanate as an alternative fumigant for stored grains. RESULTS: The formulation is stable for at least 4 months of storage at 45 °C. A laboratory bioassay with the formulation showed that it controlled all stages of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Sitophilus granarius (L.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Trogoderma variabile Ballion and Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) in infested wheat, barley, oats and peas at 80 mg L^?1 for 5 days, and in canola at both 40 mg L^?1 for 5 days and 80 mg L^?1 for 2 days at 25 ± 2 °C. After an 8–14 day holding period, residues of ethyl formate and methyl isothiocyanate in wheat, barley, peas and canola were below the experimental permit levels of 1.0 and 0.1 mg kg^?1. However, fumigated oats needed an 18 day holding period. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the ethyl formate plus methyl isothiocyanate formulation has potential as a fumigant for the control of stored‐grain insect pests in various commodities. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity of phosphine to five species of stored-product insects in atmospheres of air and nitrogen

The responses of five species of adult stored-product insects [Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum (DuVal), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and S. granarius (L.)] to various doses of phosphine in atmospheres of air or nitrogen were determined. A few S. oryzae and S. granarius survived phosphine concentrations up to 80 mg litre^?1 for 24 h in normal (air) or nitrogen atmospheres. By contrast, T. castaneum, T. confusum and R. dominica could not tolerate more than 0.2 mg phosphine litre^?1 in air for 12 h. However, they could tolerate up to 10 mg phosphine litre^?1 in nitrogen for that period. Increasing the phosphine concentration resulted in increased mortalities of the last three species. The possible mechanism underlying this response is discussed. The reproductive potential of insects surviving phosphine exposure in a nitrogen atmosphere was unaffected.     

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.     

Response of five species of stored-product insects to phosphine in oxygen-deficient atmospheres

Five species of stored-product insects, [Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum (DuVal), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and S. granarius (L.)], exposed to phosphine in nitrogen and various oxygen-deficient atmospheres, showed reduced susceptibility to three concentrations of phosphine (0.02, 0.04 and 0.2 mg litre^?1). The last two species also showed reduced susceptibility to phosphine at 2.0 mg litre^?1. Generally mortality increased progressively as the level of oxygen was raised. There was a close relationship between the ability of insects to withstand anoxia and survival from phosphine treatment.     

Capture of stored-grain Coleoptera with WB Probe II Trap: influence of grain type

The commercially available trap WB Probe II Trap have been used in laboratory to monitor insects activity in grains at 24±1°C and 70±5% r.h.. The major coleopteran pests of cereals in Italy,Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.),Rhyzopertha dominica (F.),Sitophilus oryzae (L.) andTribolium castaneum (Herbst), were added to the grain at about 0.9 insect per kg. Two tests were prepared: in the testA insect activity was observed in spring wheatTriticum aestivum, L.; in the testB were compared in oat grainAvena sativa L., spring wheatTriticum aestivum L. and maize grainZea mays L. Significant differences in the numbers of insects collected by the traps were observed, both when compared across traps and cereal types. In all cereals considered traps trapped moreS. oryzae thanT. castaneum andO. surinamenis; the species less trapped wereR. dominica.     

Phosphine-induced walking response of the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)

BACKGROUND: In spite of the intensive worldwide use of phosphine against stored-product insects, its potential sublethal effects on targeted insect species is seldom recognised and may compromise the efficacy of this fumigant, particularly against phosphine-resistant insects. Therefore, the behavioural response of three populations of the lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to sublethal phosphine exposure was assessed. RESULTS: Concentration-mortality bioassays with phosphine confirmed the resistance status of the insect populations studied, with levels of phosphine resistance of 40.8-fold and 85.7-fold compared with the susceptible population. Regarding walking behaviour, determined using a digital video-tracking system, the phosphine-resistant populations were less active than the susceptible population. In addition, sublethal phosphine exposure decreased the walking activity of all three populations. CONCLUSION: Phosphine exposure decreased walking ativity. Such reduced walking activity is likely to lower the respiration rate, thereby minimising phosphine uptake. As higher phosphine resistance was also associated with reduced walking activity, phosphine-resistant populations may resist phosphine fumigation even more efficiently on account of this behavioural trait, further aiding their physiological resistance, and should be a matter of concern. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preliminary study of the fumigant toxicity of allyl alcohol to three stored-product insects

The toxicity of allyl alcohol as a fumigant was assessed for adults ofTribolium castaneum (Herbst.),Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) andSitophilus oryzae (L.). Fumigations were carried out in 3.4–1 glass containers at concentrations of 1–15 mg/l for 3 h. The most sensitive species wasS. oryzae and the most tolerant wasT. castaneum. A dose of 15 mg/l for 3 h was lethal to all three species tested. The feasibility of proposing allyl alcohol as a candidate fumigant is discussed. Publication of the Agricultural Research Organization.     

Insecticidal efficacy of fipronil against four stored‐product insect pests: influence of commodity,dose, exposure interval,relative humidity and temperature

BACKROUND: Fipronil is an insecticidal pyrazole that is commonly used as an insecticide in field crops, urban pesticide and veterinary medicine, but there are no reports of its evaluation against stored‐product insects. Three series of laboratory bioassays were conducted to assess fipronil as a potential grain protectant against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Factors such as dose (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain), exposure interval (24 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days), temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), relative humidity (RH; 55 and 65%) and commodity (wheat, maize, barley and paddy rice) were evaluated with regard to their impact on the insecticidal activity of fipronil. Progeny production was assessed after 64 days of exposure. RESULTS: At doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, efficacy of fipronil was enhanced by an increase in temperature from 20 to 25 °C against S. oryzae or R. dominica for exposures of > 48 h and against T. confusum or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. A further increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C, although it enhanced efficacy at doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain against S. oryzae at all exposure intervals and against T. confusum after 7 days of exposure, it was negatively associated with efficacy against R. dominica or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. By contrast, increase in RH did not have a significant impact on efficacy of fipronil. Although the performance of fipronil among the tested commodities was species dependent, this substance appeared to be less effective in paddy rice than in barley, maize and wheat. Regardless of the treated commodity, progeny production of all the tested species was almost suppressed with doses higher than 0.1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain. CONCLUSIONS: Fipronil appeared to be a very effective alternative to the existing substances in stored‐grain protection at doses equal to or higher than 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, and thus these doses require further evaluation in terms of safety for the consumer and residues on stored products. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Responses of phosphine-resistant strains of two stored-product insect pests to changing concentrations of phosphine

Abstract: The susceptibility of eggs, pupae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), (both phosphine-resistant strains) to phosphine at fixed concentration-time (ct) products, with either constant or increasing or decreasing concentrations was studied at 25 (± 1)°C. At lower ct products, falling concentrations of phosphine generally caused reduced insect mortality in all the three exposure periods in the range 12 to 72 h. However, in R. dominica, both increasing and decreasing concentrations were less effective than constant concentrations. At higher ct products, no significant change in the mortality response was observed in either species after exposure to constant or changing concentrations. The findings indicate the need to maintain sufficiently high concentrations of phosphine until the end of the fumigation period.     

Extraction of allyl isothiocyanate from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and its fumigant insecticidal activity on four stored‐product pests of paddy

BACKGROUND: Isothiocyanates (ITCs) extracted from Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., May & Scherb. have been shown previously to have insecticidal activity. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a major component of ITCs with high volatility, was therefore extracted using different methods and tested as a fumigant against four major pest species of stored products, maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), lesser grain borer Rhizopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium ferrugineum (F.) and book louse Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein). RESULTS: Whereas there was no significant difference between hydrodistillation and supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction in extraction rate for AITC from A. rusticana, both methods resulted in higher extraction efficiency than water extraction. AITC fumigation showed strong toxicity to the four species of stored‐product pests. Adult mortality of 100% of all four pest species, recorded after 72 h exposure to AITC fumes at an atmospheric concentration of 3 µg mL^?1, showed no significant difference from that of insects exposed to phosphine at 5 µg mL^?1, the recommended dose for phosphine. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest good insecticidal efficacy of AITC against the four stored‐product pests, with non‐gaseous residuals on stored products. AITC obtained from A. rusticana may be an alternative to phosphine and methyl bromide against the four pest species. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids as grain protectants on bulk wheat

Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids were used in duplicate field trials carried out on bulk wheat in commercial silos in Queensland and New South Wales. Laboratory bioassays using malathion-resistant strains of insects were carried out on samples of treated grain at intervals over 9 months. These established that all treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ fenvalerate (1 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ phenothrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) and pirimiphos-methyl (4 mg kg^?1)+ permethrin (1 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) controlled common field strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). Against a highly resistant strain of S. oryzae, deltamethrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) was superior to the remaining treatments. All treatment combinations completely prevented progeny production in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jacquelin du Val and in Ephestia cautella (Walker). Residues of deltamethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin and phenothrin were determined and shown to be highly persistent on stored wheat. During milling, residues accumulated in the bran fractions and were reduced in white flour. They were not significantly reduced during baking.     

Reduced consumption of pea protein-treated flour disks by stored-product insects

Consumption of pea (Pisum sativum L.) protein-treated wheat flour by the red flour beetleTribolium castaneum (Herbst.), the rice weevilSitophilus oryzae (L.) and the lesser grain borerRhyzopertha dominica (F.), was significantly reduced compared with wheat flour alone. Consumption was affected when the insects were exposed for 3 days to flour disks containing protein-rich fraction of the ‘Bonneville’ pea variety. Antifeedants present in the pea protein fraction are apparently responsible for the reduced feeding response in these species. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 6, 2004.     

Malathion resistance of stored-product insects in Israel

A study was conducted to determine the extent of resistance to malathion in field populations of insects collected from nine granaries located in different regions of Israel. The results showed that the maximum resistance factor calcuated from the LC_so ^s of the different insect species tested was:Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), x 538.0;Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), x 8.0;Sitophilus oryzae (L.), x 1.2; andRhyzopertha dominica (F.), x 9.0. There were significant differences between the resistance level among strains collected from different locations in Israel. By using triphenyl phosphate (TPP), an inhibitor of carboxyesterase, it was shown that, in the case ofT. castaneum andR. dominica, the resistance is a malathion-specific type and that in the case ofO. surinamensis it is partially non-specific to malathion. The significance of these findings in selecting new insecticides to replace malathion as a grain protectant was considered.     

Lethal doses of ozone for control of all stages of internal and external feeders in stored products

BACKGROUND: Gaseous ozone (O₃) has potential for control of insects in stored grain. Previous studies have focused on freely exposed insects. Immatures of internal pests (e.g. Sitophilus spp. and most stages of Rhyzopertha dominica F.) are protected within kernels and probably require higher doses and/or longer treatment times for full control. A laboratory study determined the doses of ozone necessary for full control of freely exposed and internal stages of eleven stored‐product pest species. Test insects were three species of Sitophilus, R. dominica, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, T. castaneum Herbst, Plodia interpunctella Hübner, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier, Oryzaephilus surinamensis L., Ephestia kuehniella Zeller and Stegobium paniceum L. Insects were exposed to continuous flows of ozone in doses of 10–135 ppm and exposure times of 5–8 days. Dose‐mortality bioassays were conducted on three species of Sitophilus and P. interpunctella. RESULTS: Freely exposed stages (with a few exceptions) were controlled with 35 ppm of ozone for 6 days. Full mortality of internal stages within kernels required exposure to 135 ppm for 8 days. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that higher doses and/or longer treatment times are necessary for control of internal stages of stored‐product pests. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modelling the kinetics of ethyl formate sorption by wheat using batch experiments

BACKGROUND: Ethyl formate formulations are being considered to replace methyl bromide for fast grain disinfestation. Grain adsorbs ethyl formate rapidly, which can result in inadequate fumigation concentrations and unacceptable grain residues. A model of ethyl formate sorption kinetics will enable fumigation approaches to be determined that meet disinfestation and food safety requirements. RESULTS: This paper identifies all mass transport processes involved in ethyl formate sorption by wheat from published and experimental evidence. The model accounts for reaction losses of ethyl formate in air and grain using first‐order kinetics, transport in the gas and solid phases with linear mass transfer coefficients and uses a linear partition relationship representation of sorption equilibrium. Batch experimental data were measured to determine model coefficients. Novel gaseous breakdown data for ethyl formate in air were measured, and first‐order kinetics was demonstrated, although the specific reactions involved were not identified. CONCLUSION: The model predicts air and grain fumigant concentrations relevant for grain disinfestation and food residue contamination successfully. The form of the model should be applicable to all fumigant–grain systems, as it accounts for the diffusion and reaction influences known to occur with all modern fumigants under concentration and exposure conditions relevant to industry. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fenitrothion plus (1R)-phenothrin,and pirimiphos-methyl plus carbaryl,as grain protectant combinations for 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 9 months, using malathion-resistant strains of insects, established that treatments were generally effective. Fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ (1R)-phenothrin (2 mg kg^?1) was more effective than pirimiphos-methyl (6 mg kg^?1) + carbaryl (10 mg kg^?1) against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Ephestia cautella (Walker); the order of effectiveness was reversed for S. granarius (L.). Against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jackquelin du Val and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), both treatments effectively prevented the production of progeny. The order of persistence was pirimiphos-methyl> (1R)-phenothrin>carbaryl or fenitrothion. During processing from wheat to white bread, residues were reduced by 98% for carbaryl, >44% for (1R)-phenothrin, 98% for fenitrothion and 85% for pirimiphosmethyl.     

The activity of some compounds extracts byAllium on stored-product insectsOryzaephilus surinamensis (L.),Sitophilus oryzae (L.) andTribolium castaneum (Herbst)

The bioactive metabolites of someAllium plants, all exhibiting interesting pharmacological activities, were tested for their attractive/repellent activity against saw-toothed grain beetle,Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and rust-red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), insects infesting the stored-products. The data obtained showed significant repellent effect of the thiosulfinates againstS. oryzae.     

Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa protoxin and protease inhibitors against coleopteran storage pests

BACKGROUND: Environmental impacts and resistance to insecticides pose serious challenges to stored‐product insect and other types of pest control. Insect‐resistant transgenic grain is a potential alternative to fumigants, but candidate control proteins are needed, especially for coleopterans. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of a coleopteran‐active toxin, Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa, with or without protease inhibitors, in laboratory feeding assays against coleopteran storage pests. RESULTS: In a comparison of the toxicity of Cry3Aa protoxin towards three species of coleopteran storage pests, Tenebrio molitor L. was found to be most sensitive, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) was most refractory and Rhyzopertha dominica F. displayed an intermediate response. For R. dominica, Cry3Aa combined with 3500 mg potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor or 5000 mg aprotinin kg^?1 diet resulted in both delayed development and increased mortality. Potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor and bovine aprotinin reduced the LC₅₀ of Cry3Aa for R. dominica two‐ and threefold respectively. Cry3Aa treatment resulted in fewer progeny from R. dominica, and progeny was further reduced when the protoxin was combined with potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that a combination of Cry3Aa protoxin and protease inhibitors, particularly a potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, may have applications in control strategies for preventing damage to stored products and grains by coleopteran pests. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Grain protectants for the control of malathion-resistant insects in stored sorghum

Duplicate experiments were carried out on bulk sorghum stored in South Queensland and in Central Queensland. Bioassays of treated grain, conducted during 6 months' storage, established that fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ bioresmethrin (1 mg kg^?1), and pirimiphos-methyl (4 mg kg^?1)+ carbaryl (8 mg kg^?1), controlled typical malathionresistant strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Chlorpyrifos-methyl (10 mg kg^?1)+ pyrethrins (1.5 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (12 mg kg^?1), and fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ (1R)-phenothrin (1 mg kg^?1), also controlled the strains of S. oryzae, T. castaneum and E. cautella, but were only partly effective against R. dominica. Methacrifos (15 mg kg^?1) controlled all the tested species except E. cautella. Chemical assays established that the residues and rates of breakdown of these grain protectants on sorghum conformed to the general pattern for other cereal grains; residues from the above treatments were below the individual Maximum Residue Limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.