(Quasi)-Binomial vs. Gaussian Models to Evaluate Thiamethoxam, Pirimiphos-Methyl, Alpha-Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin on Different Types of Storage Bag Materials Against Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are worldwide spread and notorious organisms of numerous stored-products. Both species are dangerous for bagged commodities as penetrators and invaders. The aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of thiamethoxam, pirimiphos-methyl, alpha-cypermethrin, and deltamethrin, against E. kuehniella and T. confusum larvae, on different types of storage bag materials, i.e., woven propylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene and kraft paper through a (quasi)-binomial modeling approach. The type of the tested storage bag material did not affect the mortality rates of both species when treated with the tested insecticides. Thiamethoxam and pirimiphos-methyl showed statistically significant higher mortality rates on E. kuehniella and T. confusum (beta coefficient = 0.141; p-value < 0.05) compared to alpha-cypermethrin and deltamethrin. In addition, T. confusum exhibited significantly higher mortality rate in comparison to E. kuehniella. Our results also showed that the tested doses and surface treatments had a significant effect on the mortality E. kuehniella and T. confusum larvae. Significantly higher mortality rates were recorded when larvae were exposed on bag materials having both surfaces treated or on the single treated surface than when they were exposed on the untreated surface. Our findings can be useful towards an effective management strategy against stored-product insect pests.

Synthetic and Natural Insecticides: Gas, Liquid, Gel and Solid Formulations for Stored-Product and Food-Industry Pest Control

“…Neurotoxic organochlorines [ 288 , 290 ], organophosphates [ 106 ], pyrethrins, or pyrethroids have been most frequently suggested as active ingredients for the treatment of bags and other packaging [ 287 , 300 ]. Recently, Papanikolaou et al [ 302 ] suggested the application of thiamethoxam, pirimiphos-methyl, alpha-cypermethrin, and deltamethrin to the surface of storage bag materials (plastic and paper) as an efficient management tool against larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Pyralidae) and T. confusum . There is, however, concern about the migration of neurotoxic insecticides or other chemicals from treated (primary/secondary) packages into commodities or food.…”

Treatment of Four Stored-Grain Pests with Thiamethoxam plus Chlorantraniliprole: Enhanced Impact on Different Types of Grain Commodities and Surfaces

“…The tested dose of the insecticidal formulation falls within the ranges of both a.i. that have been previously tested for surfaces [46,47]. A separate series of boxes were sprayed only with water to serve as control using a different airbrush.…”

A new monomeric α-amylase inhibitor from the tetraploid emmer wheat is mostly active against stored product pests

“…The strain of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was reared on wheat flour at 25 °C and 65% R.H. in continuous darkness (Papanikolaou et al 2021). Larvae of 3rd-4th instar were used in the experiments.…”