A laboratory evaluation of the effectiveness of diflubenzuron against Dermestes maculatus De Geer and other storage insect pests

Abstract The chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron, applied as a wettable powder spray to woven polypropylene at 100–500 mg m−2, was effective against Dermestes maculatus De Geer for at least 12 weeks. D. maculatus was unable to develop on ox hide dipped in a suspension of diflubenzuron (125 mg litre−1), or on fishmeal dusted at 1–10 mg of active ingredient kg−1. Diflubenzuron prevented the development of infestations of Callosobruchus maculatus (L.) on peas and of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) on beans dusted at 1–5 mg kg−1. The compound was also very effective against early instar larvae of Trogoderma granarium Everts on wheat. The persistence and activity of diflubenzuron at low dosage rates against D. maculatus appear to justify larger scale trials.