Disruption of semiochemical-mediated movement by the immature Trogoderma variabile Baillon and Trogoderma inclusum Le Conte (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) after exposure to long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Highly mobile stored product insects may be able to readily orient in response to food cues and pheromones to attack durable commodities at each link of the postharvest supply chain. A 0.4% deltamethrin-incorporated long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting (LLIN) is a successful novel preventative integrated pest management (IPM) tactic to intercept dispersing insects after harvest. However, it is unknown whether exposure to LLIN may affect olfaction and orientation to important semiochemicals by immature stored product dermestids, therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to LLIN disrupts the normal olfactory and chemotactic behavior of warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion (Coleoptera Dermestidae), and the larger cabinet beetle, T. inclusum Le Conte (Coleoptera Dermestidae), larval movement in the presence of important semiochemicals, including food kairomones (e.g., flour) and pheromones, e.g., (Z)-14-methyl-8-hexadecenal. RESULTS: The distance moved by the larval population of T. variabile was reduced by 64% after 24-h exposure to LLIN compared to control netting but not immediately after exposure, while T. inclusum larvae movement was reduced by 50% after 24-h exposure to LLIN compared to the control netting. Generally, the olfaction and orientation of larval dermestids were affected after exposure to LLIN compared to control netting. There were species-linked differences in effects on olfaction after the insects were exposed to LLIN. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the use of LLIN may enhance the effectiveness of other concurrent behaviorally-based strategies such as mating disruption when used as part of a comprehensive IPM program in the postharvest environment. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.