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Bio-insecticidal effectiveness of three formulations of diatomaceous earths against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in stored cowpea

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Abstract

Three diatomaceous earths (DEs), InsectoSec®, Diatomeenerde Probe-A and Fossil Shield® 90.0, were tested in the laboratory against Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Ghana. Application rates on stored cowpea were 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% wt/wt. Adult mortality was recorded after 13–16 d, progeny production after 6 weeks. InsectoSec® was most effective towards adults, followed by Fossil Shield and finally Diatomeenerde. The highest dosages of the three DEs showed no difference in effectiveness on the 14th day, while InsectoSec® and Fossil Shield® were more effective than Diatomeenerde at the lower dosages. For InsectoSec®, the LD50 and LD90 values were 1.1% and 31.8% wt/wt, respectively, whereas Fossil Shield® recorded LD50 and LD90 of 1.0% wt/w and 13.2% wt/wt, respectively. Grain treated with InsectoSec, Fossil Shield and Diatomeenerde recorded less than 4%, 4% and 11% of C. maculatus progeny of the untreated control, respectively; dosage had no effect on the number of progeny. The potential of using diatomaceous earth to control C. maculatus and other major storage pests in Ghana is discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported financially through the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation-Research Group Linkage Programme between Humboldt University Berlin, Germany and the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana. We are most grateful to the staff of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Production, University of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Dormaa Senior High School who assisted in various ways.

Funding

This study was funded by Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung under The Research Group Linkage Programme Research cooperation between Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and The University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani Ghana. Prof. Dr. Christian Ulrichs, FG Urbane Ökophysiologie der Pflanzen, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Prof. Dr. Daniel Obeng-Ofori, University of Energy and Natural Resources, UENR, were the main principal applicants (Grant No. 3.4 - 1020440 - GHA - IP).

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  1. Department of Horticulture and Crop Production, School of Agriculture and Technology, Dormaa-Ahenkro Campus, University of Energy and Natural Resources, PO Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana

    Charles Adarkwah, Remember Roger Adjei, Jacob Paarechuga Anankware & Daniel Obeng-Ofori

  2. Faculty Life Sciences, Division Urban Plant Ecophysiology, Humboldt University Berlin, Lentzeallee 55/57, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Charles Adarkwah, Christian Ulrichs & Matthias Schöller

  3. Biologische Beratung GmbH, Storkower Str. 55/55a, 10409, Berlin, Germany

    Matthias Schöller

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Correspondence to Charles Adarkwah.

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The co-authors Prof. Dr. Christian Ulrichs and Prof. Dr. Daniel Obeng-Ofori received the research grants from Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung. All the other co-authors are members of the Research Group Linkage Programme, and therefore, no conflict exists: Author Prof. Dr. Christian Ulrichs declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Prof. Dr. Daniel Obeng-Ofori declares that he has no conflict of interest. All authors have agreed the content of this manuscript prior to handing in.

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Adarkwah, C., Adjei, R.R., Anankware, J.P. et al. Bio-insecticidal effectiveness of three formulations of diatomaceous earths against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in stored cowpea. J Plant Dis Prot 128, 809–817 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-021-00443-0

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