Efficacy of invasive plant powders and inert dusts against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) in wheat grain

• Published in: Journal of stored products research Vol. 109; p. 102428
• Main Authors: Milosavljević, Matej Podgornik, Trdan, Stanislav, Košir, Iztok Jože, Šilc, Urban, Horvat, Aleksander, Bohinc, Tanja, Curk, Miha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Diatomaceous earth; Invasive alien plants; Maize weevil; Repellency; Triticum aestivum; Maize weevil; Invasive alien plants; Diatomaceous earth; Repellency; Triticum aestivum
• ISSN: 0022-474X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jspr.2024.102428

Cereal grain insect pests, specifically Sitophilus zeamais, pose significant challenges to farmers and distributors worldwide, leading to substantial economic losses. Traditional pest control methods often rely on fumigants, raising environmental and health concerns. As an alternative, this study explores the efficacy of unconventional repellents derived from five invasive plant species powders and inert dusts such as wood ash, quartz sand, and zeolite in controlling S. zeamais infestations. The study employs laboratory experiments to evaluate the repellent effects of these substances on adult weevils and progeny emergence on wheat grain under different environmental conditions. Results indicate that plant powders showed some repellent effect (average significant difference in live weevil counts between treated and untreated grain was 13.4 %) and mortality rate (mostly around 20 %), but they were less effective compared to the well-known substances such as SilicoSec® and wood ash (both over 80 % mortality). Similar effects were observed in the progeny emergence experiment. Despite the lower effectiveness compared to conventional substances, the combined application of plant powders with other low-risk methods like the decreasing of temperature and humidity may offer viable pest management strategies in certain scenarios. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further exploration of alternative plant species and the potential for synergistic effects when combining repellent substances. •SilicoSec® and wood ash were the most effective treatments, significantly reducing weevil survival rates to below 20%.•Plant-based powders showed moderate effectiveness (80% survival), while quartz sand showed no significant repellent effect.•Progeny emergence was influenced by both temperature and relative humidity, with lower values reducing offspring.•SilicoSec®, wood ash, and zeolite, but also temperature of 10 °C completely prevented progeny emergence.•Plant powders were less effective but still reduced offspring by approximately 30% compared to control.