Evaluation of Esfenvalerate Aerosol for Control of Stored Product Insect Pests2

Abstract

An aerosol containing 0.25% AI esfenvalerate, 1.25% piperonyl butoxide synergist, 18.50% oil solvent and 80.00% freon was tested against adults of some of the major insect pest species infesting stored peanuts and stored tobacco. Application at 0.03 g AI per 28.3 m3 killed at least 99% of the almond moths, Cadra cautella (Walker), Indianmeal moths, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), and tobacco moths, Ephestia elutella (Hübner). Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) mortality was 100% at application rates of 0.03 and 0.05 g per 28.3 m3. This was the least susceptible beetle species that was tested. Red flour beetles were knocked down at a rate of 0.013 g per 28.3 m3, and a second application of the same rate killed all survivors. The biological effectiveness of esfenvalerate compares favorably with dichlorvos, which is currently used as an aerosol control in peanut and tobacco storages.

Insect Management with Aerosols in Food-Processing Facilities

“…In the late 1970s, some researchers evaluated various synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates as aerosols for controlling stored-product insects in transport vehicles such as tractor trailers and transport trailer vans Gillenwater 1979, 1981;Halliday et al 1987). Then in late 1980s and early 1990s, some studies focused on evaluating synergized pyrethroids as alternatives to dichlorvos for controlling stored-product insects in laboratory settings in artificially constructed air-tight chambers (Arthur 1988(Arthur , 1993Arthur and Gillenwater 1990). The current trend in aerosol applications is to evaluate efficacy of neurotoxic aerosols such as dichlorvos, synergized pyrethrins, and pyrethroids alone or combined with insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as methoprene, hydroprene, and pyriproxyfen under laboratory and field conditions (air-tight chambers or flour mills, warehouses and other food-processing facilities) applied via portable application devices or permanently installed systems within the facilities (Jenson et al 2010a;Phillips and Throne 2010).…”

“…These include pressurized cylinder-based automatic aerosol dispensing systems ) and pressurized cans which are held in hand and a person, with proper personal protective apparel, walks through the middle (aisle) of a storage facility or a transport vehicle releasing the aerosol Gillenwater 1979, 1981). Alternatively, a person stands outside the facility and releases the aerosol by directing the aerosol can inside the facility through a window or door (Arthur 1988(Arthur , 1993Arthur and Gillenwater 1990). Some researchers used resin pellets impregnated with an insecticide, mainly dichlorvos, for releasing insecticide in vapor form either by a dispenser for providing large quantities of vapor Harein 1964, Harein et al 1971) or by placing pellets in a wire mesh tray to release the vapor into a confined space of a facility .…”

“…Although use of a non-synergized insecticide such as dichlorvos was very common when aerosol technology was introduced, pyrethrins and pyrethroids, used as aerosols later, contained a synergist, piperonyl butoxide, for improving the efficacy of aerosols against stored-product insects (Bernhard and Bennett 1981, Arthur 1988, 1993, Arthur and Gillenwater 1990). The latest strategy in aerosol technology is to use a combination of insecticides.…”

“…In an effort to find safer alternative aerosols to dichlorvos for managing insects in foodstorage and food-processing facilities, Arthur (1988Arthur ( , 1993 and Arthur and Gillenwater (1990) conducted several experiments in artificially constructed air-tight chambers (42.5 m 3 ). These studies evaluated the distribution and efficacy of three pyrethroids, prallethrin, esfenvalerate, and cyfluthrin with or without a synergist at various rates and exposure times against three moth and six beetle species.…”

Spatial Pattern in Aerosol Insecticide Deposition Inside a Flour Mill

“…The majority of the research on efÞcacy has been under laboratory conditions simulating aerosol applications made directly to the insects Arthur 1988Arthur , 1993Arthur and Gillenwater 1990;Tucker et al 2014) or aerosol applications conducted in small rooms (Jenson et al 2010a, Toews et al 2010. Data on the efÞcacy of aerosol insecticides applied at the scale and under the conditions typically found in commercial applications are much more limited.…”