Monday, December 10, 2007
D0164

Efficacy of an esfenvalerate plus methoprene aerosol for the control of eggs and fifth instars of the Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)

Emily Jenson, eaj7979@ksu.edu1, Frank Arthur, frank.arthur@gmprc.ksu.edu2, and James Nechols, jnechols@ksu.edu1. (1) Kansas State University, 123 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS, (2) USDA-ARS-GMPRC, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS

New strategies for managing stored product pests are needed to fulfill the mandate to replace the fumigant, methyl bromide, in food manufacturing and storage facilities. Aerosol insecticides provide one alternative, but little is known about the efficacy of these insecticides, particularly when application techniques are considered in these facilities. One insecticide combination currently in use is the pyrethroid, esfenvalerate, in conjunction with methoprene. Pyrethroids function as contact insecticides whereas methoprene provides residual control. The objective of this study was to evaluate each of these insecticides individually and in combination for the control of eggs and fifth instars of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella. Eggs and larvae were exposed to the aerosols in open and obstructed positions inside small, climate-controlled sheds to simulate actual field conditions. When larvae were exposed to methoprene, adult emergence was 7.1 ± 1.5%. In contrast, adult emergence was 92.5 ± 3.5% when larvae were treated with esfenvalerate When eggs were exposed to methoprene, adult emergence ranged from 10.8±1.3% to 44.8±14.3%, but when eggs were exposed to esfenvalerate, adult emergence was 13.8±10.8%, which was considerably lower compared to when fifth instars were exposed to esfenvalerate. In the combination treatment of methoprene plus esfenvalerate at their respective label rates, adult emergence of exposed larvae was 0.91±0.61% while egg survival was 16.3±9.6%. Results suggest that different combinations of pyrethroid plus methoprene at less than the label rate could be used to control both egg and wandering-phase larval stages of the Indianmeal moth.


Species 1: Lepidoptera Pyralidae Plodia interpunctella (Indianmeal moth)