Pest Management Science (2005) 61, 1103-1109

Ahmet G. Ferizli and Gulay Beris (2005)
Mortality and F₁ progeny of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F), on wheat treated with diatomaceous earth: effects of rate, exposure period and relative humidity
Pest Management Science 61 (11), 1103-1109
Abstract: A series of experiments at 25 (±1) °C were conducted in which different application rates of diatomaceous earth (DE) formulation Protect-It at two levels of relative humidity, 40 and 55%, and at three exposure periods were evaluated for control of Rhyzopertha dominica (F). Test insects were placed in vials containing 40 g of soft winter wheat mixed with 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 g DE kg^-1. At all rates except 0.25 g kg^-1, mortality was significantly different from that in the control at the relevant exposure period. After each exposure interval, dead and live insects were counted and removed, and the vial containing wheat was then returned to the appropriate humidity chamber for 8 weeks until F₁ adults emerged. F₁ progeny production was significantly different from the control group at all rates. Mortalities for 1, 2 and 3 weeks exposure were found to be 47 (±5)%. Despite the fact that mortality increased with increasing rate, total mortality was not achieved even at the highest rate of DE. F₁ progeny production decreased with increasing rate for both RH conditions, and containment of population for both RH conditions was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg^-1. For each exposure period, F₁ progeny production of R dominica decreased with increasing rate of DE, and population suppression was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg^-1 for all exposure intervals. In summary, Protect-It resulted in reduced F₁ adult progeny and containment of population was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg^-1 at which rate mortality was 77%.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ahmet G Ferizli

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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