Insecticidal Potential of Natural Zeolite and Diatomaceous Earth Formulations Against Rice Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Red Flour Beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

Insecticidal potential of natural zeolites and diatomaceous earths originating from Serbia against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) was evaluated. Two natural zeolite formulations (NZ and NZ Modified) were applied to wheat at rates of 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 g/kg, while two diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations (DE S-1 and DE S-2) were applied at rates of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 g/kg. A bioassay was conducted under laboratory conditions: temperature of 24 +/- 1 degrees C, relative humidity in the range 50-55%, in tests with natural zeolites, and 60-65%, in tests with DEs, and in all combinations for progeny production. Mortality was assessed after 7, 14, and 21 d of insect contact with treated wheat, and the total mortality after an additional 7-d recovery on untreated broken wheat. Progeny production was also assessed after 8 wk for S. oryzae and 12 wk for T. castaneum. The highest mortality for S. oryzae and T. castaneum was found after the longest exposure period and 7 d of recovery, on wheat treated with NZ at the highest rate and DEs at rates of 0.50 -1.0 g/kg. Progeny reduction higher than 90% was achieved after 14 and 21 d of contact of both beetle pests with wheat treated with DE S-1 at 0.50-1.0 g/kg and DE S-2 at 0.75-1.0 g/kg, while the same level of reduction was achieved only for T. castaneum after its contact with the highest rate of NZ formulation. NZ Modified, applied even at the highest rate, revealed much lower insecticidal potential.

Insecticidal efficacy of nano zeolite against Tribolium confusum (Col., Tenebrionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Col., Bruchidae)

“…Inert dusts, such as zeolite, are promising alternative to conventional chemical insecticides and have been extensively researched and used in practice due to their low mammalian toxicity and slight or no effect on quality products treated with commercially applicable concentrations (Korunic 1998;Andric et al 2012).…”

Applications of natural zeolites on agriculture and food production

“…Bentonite (Bosnia and Herzegovina), natural zeolite (Serbia) and DE (Belgrade, Serbia) formulations were found, under laboratory conditions, to be effective against S. oryzae and T. castaneum adults . Zeolites and modified zeolits originating from Serbia were also studied to test progeny reduction rates and the insecticidal effect of stored product insects, with good results being reported …”

“…41 Zeolites and modified zeolits originating from Serbia were also studied to test progeny reduction rates and the insecticidal effect of stored product insects, with good results being reported. 50 South American native flowering plants that release peppery odor 'Matico' (Piper aduncum subsp. ossanum) as PAO-1, PAO-2 and zeolite (Heulandite type Zeolite which Clinoptilolite + Mordenite Type I, purity is above 70%) were studied to control the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in chickpea, showing the highest mortality rates of adults with PAO-2 and the best repellent effect with PAO-1.…”

Effects of Diatomaceous Earth on House Dust Mite Sensitization in BALB/c Mice

“…Increasing evidence has highlighted the potential use of DE for insect control (19–21). Recent studies have demonstrated the insecticidal effect of DE against different species of mites in animal (10, 22).…”