Bulletin of Insectology (2014) 67, 51-55

Nadia Baldassari and Antonio Martini (2014)
The efficacy of two diatomaceous earths on the mortality of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae
Bulletin of Insectology 67 (1), 51-55
Abstract: The insecticidal activity of two commercial formulations of diatomaceous earths (DEs) was evaluated in the laboratory against two major pests of stored grain: Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera Bostrichidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera Curculionidae). The formulations Protector® and SilicoSec® were tested at two different doses (500 and 1000 ppm) against adults of the two species. Bioassays were carried out using 2-liter-glass jars containing common wheat (with a moisture content ranging from 10.5 to 11.7%, for R. dominica, and 10.7 to 13.4% for S. oryzae) mixed with the DEs, and maintained at 26.7 °C and 60% RH. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by recording adult mortality after 2, 7 and 14 days. Both formulations have shown an adulticidal effect, although the mortality was influenced by species, dosages and exposure time. Protector® showed a significant insecticidal activity against the lesser grain borer and the rice weevil already after two days of treatment. After 14 days the mean mortality was greater than 95% even at a dosage of 500 ppm for R. dominica, and greater than 87 and 92% at a dosage of 500 ppm and 1000 ppm respectively, for S. oryzae. SilicoSec® caused less mortality than Protector® after 2 days of exposure, especially for the S. oryzae. However, there was no difference between formulations after 7 or 14 days.
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Database assignments for author(s): Antonio Martini

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sitophilus oryzae
	Rhyzopertha dominica