Croatian diatomites and their possible application as a natural insecticide

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been an increase in the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a natural insecticide because of its low mammalian toxicity, worker safety, low risk of food residues and the occurrence of resistant insect populations associated with the use of chemical insecticides. Therefore there is potential for research into known but previously undescribed Croatian mid-Miocene marine diatomites from the perspective of their potential as proper DE that could be mixed with plant extracts as a new formulation for grain storage protection. The marine diatomites belong to the Paratethyan near shore environment, deposited in the upwelling zone during a mid-Miocene temperate climate. Palaeontological, mineral and geochemical analyses were done on ten promising marly sediments from 26 outcrops and one borehole from the North Croatian Basin. The most important ingredient of diatomaceous sediments is silica (biogenic opal-A and SiO 2 bound in other silicate minerals including quartz, clay minerals, micas, etc.). The amorphous silica content of the tested Croatian diatomites is relatively low (50%) in comparison with the Celatom ® MN 51 standard (medium to high efficient DE) (73.6%), nevertheless they show in some part even slightly better efficacy against insects. It seems that the enhanced content of smectite in diatomaceous sediments also influences increased absorption of DE. Based on palaeontological results, the most efficient diatomites from the Podsusedsko Dolje and Markuševec (Medvednica Mt.) consist of the mid-sized planktonic Coscinodiscus group of species where Thalassionema nitzschioides dominate and is positively correlated with their absorption. The usage of Boströms' standard formula for getting opal-A from geochemical data was abandoned because of negative results and the modified Murdmaas' formula for hemipelagic sediments was applied. Preliminary results on the aforementioned diatomite (as inert dusts) show good efficacy against tested insects Sitophilus oryzae (LINNAEUS), Tribolium castaneum (HERBST) and Rhyzopertha dominica (FABRICIUS).

Insecticidal Effect of Diatomaceous Earth Formulations for the Control of a Wide Range of Stored-Product Beetle Species

“…Silicid, which had the highest percentage of SiO 2 , was tested for the first time and was the most effective DE formulation against the stored-product insect species tested among the formulations tested. It should be noted that regardless of the formulation, the insect species, dose rate, and exposure time were the main factors (DE origin, form, shape, and size of diatoms) that easily affected the mortality levels of the exposed individuals [49].…”

Storage of Cereals in Warehouses with or without Pesticides

“…DE is a rock mineral made of fossilized single-celled algae called diatoms. The main component and active ingredient of DE is amorphous silicon dioxide (70-90%) [38,39]. Due to the particles having very small inner pores, DE has a physical mode of action against insects.…”