DIFLUBENZURON AS A GRAIN PROTECTANT FOR CONTROL OF SITOPHILUS SPECIES

Diflubenzuron, applied to wheat at low doses (0.2-0.6 mg kg- 1), prevents development of first generation (F1) progeny of Sitophilus oryzae and S. granarius species except those developing from a short period of oviposition (1-2 weeks) immediately after application. These F1 progeny fail to produce F2 progeny when transferred to wheat dosed with diflubenzuron, and produce very few progeny when transferred to untreated wheat suggesting an effect on fertility in the adult insect. At 30-degrees-C, a dose of 0.4 mg kg-1 is adequate to control S. oryzae and S. granarius, although a dose of 0.6 mg kg-1 is required at 20-degrees-C. Strategies for use of diflubenzuron are discussed.