Work

The Effect of Diatomaceous Earth, Sodium Chloride, and Temperature on the Control of the Red Flour Beetle Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The red flour beetle [Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797)] is a major secondary pest of stored wheat and flour, posing significant threats to both quantity and quality. In this study, we evaluated the effects of natural physical control methods, specifically temperature and humidity, on the larvae and adults of T. castaneum. A range of low temperatures (9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 °C) was tested in comparison to a warm control (31 °C), along with the use of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and coarse salt (NaCl) to reduce ambient humidity in storage environments over five days. Results showed that DE and NaCl were particularly effective under cool conditions, with up to 80% mortality observed at 9 °C on the first day and complete mortality (100%) by day five. This preliminary study represents the first of its kind on Iraqi populations of T. castaneum, and offers promising insight for developing low-cost, sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for stored-product pest control.

Source: Tikrit Journal for Agricultural Sciences

DOI: 10.25130/tjas.25.4.19

Authors: Hind Noaman Harhoosh Al-Obaidi, Salman Shayya, Dany Azar

Institutions: Lebanese University, University of Balamand, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy

Language: English

Topic: Insect Pest Control Strategies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7117659148