Efficacy of Dust and Wettable Powder Formulation of Diatomaceous Earth (Detech®) in the Control of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae)

Abstract

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) is a cosmopolite mite species commonly in found food and stored products. In this study, the acaricidal activity of two Turkish diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations (Detech® WP95 and Detech® Dust) were applied on a concrete surface at five different concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 g/m2) and dead individuals were counted at 11 different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30 h) at a temperature of 25 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). Mite mortalities were observed after 6- and 18-hour exposure periods at all concentrations of dust and wettable powder (WP) formulations, respectively. Specifically, 100% mortality for the WP formulation was achieved at the highest concentration of 10 g/m2 after 15 h of exposure and after 27 h and 30 h for the lowest concentration. In the case of dust formulation, mortalities were observed after 3 h of exposure at all concentrations except at 1 g/m2, while a 100% mortality rate was achieved after 21 h of exposure to all concentrations and after 18 h of exposure for 7.5 g/m2 and 10 g/m2. This study indicates that both WP and dust formulations of local diatomaceous earth can cause 100% mortality in 24 h on average and can be a promising alternative to conventional chemical acaricides.

Toxic, Repellent, and Oviposition-Inhibiting Effects of Almina Diatomaceous Earth on Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae)

“…The cuticle characteristics of the insect species to which DE is applied affect its susceptibility to DE (Athanassiou et al, 2005). Studies have shown that diatomaceous earth will damage the cuticles of soft-bodied organisms such as mites more quickly, so mites will have a higher mortality rate in a shorter period than insects (Kılıç, 2022). In this study, DE was used mixed with water.…”

“…In this study, DE was used mixed with water. However, Kılıç (2022) tested the dust formulation of DE. The results obtained from this study show that both the species and the formulation types of DE are significant in effectiveness.…”

“…Again, when the powder De (Diamol) and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) were applied together, it showed a synergistic effect and showed a mortality rate of 89.1% (Steenberg and Kilpinen, 2014). A dust formulation (Detech® Dust) of a local Turkish diatomaceous earth in Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank, 1781) (Acari: Acaridae), a cosmopolitan mite species, caused 100% mortality in an average of 24 hours (Kılıç, 2022). A water-soluble formulation of DE in all periods of Onythonyssus sylvarium (Canestrini and Fanzago 1877) (Acari: Macronyssidae), a parasitic mite species, significantly decreased the mite population when applied only for 2 consecutive weeks (Mullens et al, 2012).…”

Acaricidal Activity of Formulated Plant Oil (Natrilo), The Biocide (Bacillus thuringiensis), Organophosphorus Pesticide (Pirimiphos-methyl) and their Binary Mixture Against the Acarid Mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae)

“…Mites are considered one of the most abundant groups of pest arthropods (Howard et al, 2001;Athanassiou et al, 2005;Stejskal &Hubert, 2008 andKilic, 2022). In addition to immediately harming the stored goods and lowering their nutritional content (Boczek, 1991 andKrantz, 1955), a large number of mite species in preserved food and its derivatives can also trigger allergic reactions in people (Kondreddi et al, 2006).…”