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Insecticidal effect and impact of fitness of three diatomaceous earths on different maize hybrids for the eco-friendly control of the invasive stored-product pest Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)

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Abstract

Diatomaceous earths (DEs) are able to successfully protect grain commodities from noxious stored-product insect and mite infestations; however, their effectiveness may be moderated by the grain hybrid or variety they are applied to. There is a gap of information on the comparison of the efficacy of different DEs when are applied on different maize hybrids against Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Therefore, here we tested three commercially available DEs (DEA-P at 75 and 150 ppm, Protect-It at 500 ppm, and PyriSec at 500 ppm) on five different maize hybrids (Calaria, Doxa, Rio Grande, Sisco, and Studio) for the control of P. truncatus adults in terms of mortality (at 7 and 14 days), progeny production, properties of the infested maize hybrids (number and weight of kernels with or without holes, number of holes per kernel) and the adherence level of the tested DEs to the kernels. DEA-P was very effective at 75 ppm while a considerable proportion of the exposed P. truncatus adults was still alive after 14 days of exposure on all maize hybrids treated with 500 ppm of Protect-It or PyriSec, even though it was 3.3 times higher than the maximal application tested dose of DEA-P. Apart from parental mortality, DEA-P was able to reduce P. truncatus progeny production in all hybrids contrary to Protect-It or PyriSec. The adherence ratios were always higher for DEA-P than Protect-It or PyriSec to all maize hybrids. The highest numbers of kernels (or weight of kernels) without holes were noticed after their treatment with DEA-P. Doxa and Sisco performed better than Calaria, Rio Grande, or Studio based on the differences found concerning the numbers of kernels without holes at treatments with DEA-P and Protect-It. Overall, the findings of our study indicate the high potentiality of DEA-P as protectant of different maize hybrids to P. truncatus infestations at low doses, a fact that could help the eco-friendly management of this noxious species in the stored-product environment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the project “Control of stored products insects” (Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate of Plant Protection).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos st, 11855, Athens, Attica, Greece

    Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Christos G. Athanassiou, Gerassimos G. Peteinatos & Maria C. Boukouvala

  2. Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta st, 14561, Kifissia, Attica, Greece

    Nickolas G. Kavallieratos & Maria C. Boukouvala

  3. Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou st, 38446, Nea Ionia, Magnissia, Greece

    Christos G. Athanassiou

  4. Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Panepistimioupolis, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Maria C. Boukouvala

  5. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Giovanni Benelli

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  1. Nickolas G. Kavallieratos
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  2. Christos G. Athanassiou
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  3. Gerassimos G. Peteinatos
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  4. Maria C. Boukouvala
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Correspondence to Nickolas G. Kavallieratos.

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Kavallieratos, N.G., Athanassiou, C.G., Peteinatos, G.G. et al. Insecticidal effect and impact of fitness of three diatomaceous earths on different maize hybrids for the eco-friendly control of the invasive stored-product pest Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 10407–10417 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9565-5

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