Exposure to a Novel Insecticide Formulation on Maize and Concrete Reduces Movement by the Stored Product Pests, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky)

Two major stored products pests of maize are the Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (larger grain borer) and Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (maize weevil). Under climate change, P. may be expected to shift its distribution northward farther into United States (US). Thus, there is a critical need develop diversified chemical control tools in post-harvest supply chain for these two species. In this study, we investigated efficacy novel insecticide formulation, containing insect growth regulator, S-methoprene, combined with pyrethroid, deltamethrin synergist piperonyl butoxide (Central Life Science, Schaumberg, IL, US), compared existing commercial standard formulation without synergist, controls at inducing direct mortality sublethal changes movement on treated grains as protectant, concrete surface treatment. Mortality adults was assessed visually, while tracked network camera coupled Ethovision software that automatically recorded velocity distance moved by both species, after continuous exposure material 4–168 h. The significantly induced reducing multiple-fold exposed even relatively brief periods. fact, just effective older but used only fraction active ingredients, thus it more cost-effective. Overall, promising tool controlling S. bulk storage around other food facilities.