New possibilities for methyl bromide free stored product insect control

Currently, methyl bromide is prohibited for most of uses. Some new possibilities as alternatives were investigated against stored product insects. Fumigants: A special devise, named "Speedbox" developed by Detia Degesch GmbH (Germany), allows degassing of the Degesch Plate and getting the effective concentration of Phosphine in a short period. After 2 h, the concentration of the gas reached 216 ppm. The advantages of the Speedbox enable effective Phosphine fumigation at low temperatures for shorter time and for quarantine purpose. At the dosage of 2 g/m3, exposure time of 4 days and temperature of 15C, 100% of adults of Sitophilus oryzae L, Oryzaephilus surinamensis L and Tribolium castaneum Herbst as well as larvae and pupae of T. castaneum and Ephestia cautella Walker were killed. Ethyl formate is known as a food additive and fumigant in the dried fruit industry. In laboratory space fumigation, ethyl formate showed high activity at concentrations of 15-25 g/m3 and exposure time of 24 h against the main stored product insects. Protectants: Spinosad (Tracer Super 24%, Dow Chemical, USA), at a concentration of 2 ppm, decreased adult populations of S. oryzae and Rhizopertha dominica F by 100%, O. surinamensis by 95% and T. castaneum by 61%. 100% of third-instar larvae of T. castaneum and Plodia interpunctella Hubn were killed. Spinosad at 1 ppm mixed with Deltamethrin at 0.5 ppm showed similar results. IGR Novaluron (Makhteshim, Israel) at 2 ppm was also found as a very active protectant against the major stored product insects for at least a year.