Persistence of insecticidal activity and repellency of the diatomaceous earth against the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

The persistence and repellency of the diatomaceous earth (DE) formulation was evaluated against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. Persistence bioassays werw conduced in 20 cm diameter plastic cups with DE-treated poultry litter (172g/m2). The adults were transferred (13g – about 1100 insects) and the mortality was assessed by counting and removing dead adult beetles in the cups 10, 20 and 30 days after placement. All procedures were repeated 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 days after first evaluation. The repellency test was conducted in plastic box (36×24×6 cm L×W×H) containing poultry litter trated and non-treated with DE (200g/m2), distribuited in two parts. The adults were added to the litter (13g), and the evaluation ocurred after 1, 4 and 7 days after placement, by counting the insects in the treated and non-treated area. It was verified the inseticidal activity until eight month after litter treatment (60% of mortality), showing the persistence of the product. The repellency activity of the DE was confirmed and it must be considered in a development of control strategies of the lesser mealworm with.