An Assessment of the Value of Dilute Dust Insecticides for the Protection of Stored Maize in Kenya

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Abstract
A series of insecticidal dust formulations of malathion, Bromodan and pyrethrum admixed with maize were compared as a protection against insect reinfestation following fumigation. Pyrethrum 0.2% +1% piperonyl butoxide at 4 oz per bag was effective for 8 mo., the same formulation at 2 oz per bag for 4 mo., and a mixed synergist formulation consisting of 0.2% pyrethrum +0.5% piperonyl butoxide + 0.5% ssaffroxan at 4 oz per bag remained effective for 6 mo. Although malathion dust at 4 oz per bag was effective against Tribolium castaneum, it failed to control Cadra cautella, allowing this species to cause considerable damage in a short period of time. Bromodan 5% at 3 1/4 oz per bag did not prove effective against either C. cautella or T. castaneum. All insecticidal treatments prevented the establishment of Sitophilus zeamais during a short period of reinfestation pressure at the beginning of the experiment. Sampling methods using paraffin flotation and visual search techniques were tested and then used to estimate the numbers of insects per bag 4 times at 2-monthly intervals. The estimates of insect numbers and the weights of dust sieved from the bags were used to assess the efficiency of each treatment. The dust accumulating in bags, mostly derived from insect feeding, is possibly the most accurate means of assessing insect numbers and hence the effectiveness of treatments.

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