The Influence of Elevated Temperatures on a Residual Insecticide and Inert Dust to Disinfest Empty Bins Prior to On-farm Grain Storage

2015 Annual Report for GNC14-186

Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2014: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2015
Grant Recipient: Kansas State University
Region: North Central
State: Kansas
Graduate Student:
Faculty Advisor:
Subramanyam Bhadriraju
Kansas State University
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Mike Montross
University of Kentucky

The Influence of Elevated Temperatures on a Residual Insecticide and Inert Dust to Disinfest Empty Bins Prior to On-farm Grain Storage

Summary

Lab work was conducted to find the optimal temperature, time, dose combination for the highest mortality of Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle.

Tribolium castaneum adults were exposed to a diatomaceous earth formulation tested at three doses on concrete arenas at 28, 36, 42, 44, and 46°C for 4, 8, 12, and 24 h.

The efficacy of diatomaceous earth against T. castaneum increased with temperature.

Overall, more adults died when exposed to 5.0 g/m2 compared to 2.5 g/m2.

The combination of DE with sublethal temperatures can be used as an integrated approach for killing insects in empty storage bins and grain-processing facilities.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objectives of the lab component of the research were to determine a temperature and time combination (below 50C) that would effectively kill adults of T. castaneum. The samples were maintained at constant temperatures for up to 24 h. The higher recommended dose (5 g/m2) was generally more effective than the lower dose (2.5 g/m2), which was more effective than the control, which did not have the addition of diatomaceous earth.

Accomplishments/Milestones

A publication of the lab portion of this project were submitted to the Journal of Stored Product Research in mid-February.

A copy of this publication in draft form is attached.DE Paper_ Final Draft

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The results from this study will be applied to field studies and demonstrations in empty storage bins. 

Collaborators:

Dr. Mike Montross

michael.montross@uky.edu
Professor
128 CE Barnhart Bldg
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Lexington, KY 40546
Office Phone: 8592583000
Subramanyam Bhadriraju

sbhadrir@ksu.edu
Professor
306 Shellenberger Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Office Phone: 7855324092
Mark Casada

mark.casada@ars.usda.gov
Agricultural Engineer
USDA ARS CGAHR
1515 College Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
Office Phone: 7857762758