Document Type : Original Article
Author
Plant Production & Protection Dept., College of Agric. & Vet. Medicine, P.O. Box 6622, Qassim University, Buraidah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Four formulations of commercially used control agents were tested under laboratory conditions on adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. The bioassays were carried out on wheat grains, at 25 ± 1°C and 70 ± 5% RH. Compounds were applied at the dose rates of 250, 500, 750 and 1000mg/L for Fenvalerate, 2500, 5000,10000 and 20000 mg/L for Biofly, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L for Neem and 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/L for Diazinon. Adult mortality was assessed everyday for 10 days and LC50, LC95, LT50and LT95were calculated. Mortality was 100% on wheat treated with 1000 mg/L of Fenvalerate, and 50, 75 and 100 mg/L of diazinon 10 days after exposure. Diazinon was the most effective against T. castaneum followed by Neem, Fenvalerate and then Biofly, where the recorded LC50values were 46.25, 78.30, 271.12 and 3.05x104mg/L after 4, 8, 7 and 6 days of exposure, respectively. Generally , for all tested compounds, the LT50values decreased as concentrations increased and Diazinon provided the shorter exposure time required for mortality. In conclusion, the biological method would not be as efficient as chemicals. However, the use of an effective plant extracts such as Neem on the stored grains would decrease the frequency with which insecticide was required. Thus, potentially remaining suitable pest control with a reduction in chemical residue. The present results encourage the use of Neem in control of stored product pests such as T. castaneum as alternative for synthetic insecticides or as a part in the integrated pest management programms.
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