Effect of thiamethoxam partial grain treatment to Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) adults

Abstract

The efficacy of partial treatment of two commodities (wheat and rice) with thiamethoxam against adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitophilus oryzae (F.) was tested by mixing different proportions of thiamethoxam-treated and untreated grains. Thiamethoxam was applied to these grains in two different doses 1 and 5 ppm, while the percentage of the treated grain quantity ranged between 0 and 100%. Adult mortality was recorded after time exposure intervals of 7 and 14 d. Irrespectively of the dose, adult mortality was raised with increase in the percentage of treated kernels as well as the exposure time. Applications of thiamethoxam on wheat were more effective than on rice and on R. dominica than on S. oryzae, especially at 1 ppm, for both exposure intervals. The effective “critical” percentage, causing control similar to 100% treatment, of thiamethoxam to grain mass at 5 ppm was 50% for both species. For the examined scenario of partial treatment, thiamethoxam found to be effective against the tested species which makes it a candidate for use in the stored grain protection. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd