Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids as grain protectants on bulk wheat

Abstract Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids were used in duplicate field trials carried out on bulk wheat in commercial silos in Queensland and New South Wales. Laboratory bioassays using malathion‐resistant strains of insects were carried out on samples of treated grain at intervals over 9 months. These established that all treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2 mg kg−1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg−1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg−1)+ fenvalerate (1 mg kg−1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg−1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg−1)+ phenothrin (2 mg kg−1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg−1) and pirimiphos‐methyl (4 mg kg−1)+ permethrin (1 mg kg−1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg−1) controlled common field strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). Against a highly resistant strain of S. oryzae, deltamethrin (2 mg kg−1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg−1) was superior to the remaining treatments. All treatment combinations completely prevented progeny production in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jacquelin du Val and in Ephestia cautella (Walker). Residues of deltamethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin and phenothrin were determined and shown to be highly persistent on stored wheat. During milling, residues accumulated in the bran fractions and were reduced in white flour. They were not significantly reduced during baking.