The relative Susceptibility to Pyrethrum in Oil of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera infesting Stored Products.

Abstract

With a view to providing information useful in practical control, the relative susceptibility to pyrethrins, and to pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide, of a series of stored product insects has been determined. Adult moths and beetles of 31 species were investigated, together with the larvae of 16 of these, and that of one other.The insects were treated with 1.3 per cent, pyrethrins, and 0.3 per cent, pyrethrins plus 3.0 per cent, piperonyl butoxide, in a heavy, highly refined mineral oil (Shell Risella 17). Both formulations were applied in two ways: insects were exposed on sprayed filter papers or were directly sprayed. Insects were also treated with the oil alone by both techniques. While confined on films, and after being sprayed, the insects were kept at 25°C. and 70 per cent. R.H.Large differences in susceptibility were encountered. The adult moths and Bruchids were susceptible, the adult Ptinids rather resistant, but otherwise susceptibility showed little correlation with systematic classification. The larva of a given species was usually more resistant than the adult. Among the adults of the different species, susceptibility to pyrethrum appeared to be correlated with high activity of the normal insect.On the whole, 1.3 per cent, pyrethrins and 0.3 per cent, pyrethrins plus 3.0 per cent, piperonyl butoxide were of about equal toxicity.