ABSTRACT
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an inert dust formed by milling of fossilized remains of phytoplankton (diatoms), composed of silicon dioxide, commonly used for the control of insects infesting stored products. Damage occurs to the cuticle of the insects, by sorption and/or abrasion of the protective wax coat, resulting in death by stress and the excessive loss of water through desiccation. This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate, for the first time, the action of DE on the lesser mealworm for future utilization in a control program of this insect. For the experiment, DE was mixed with chicken food (1, 2 and 3g DE/kg of chicken food) and with poultry litter (86 and 172 g DE/m2), and adults were exposed for 10 days at 26 and 32°C. The insecticidal activity of the DE was verified for all concentrations and both temperatures. When DE was applied on the litter there was 49.1 and 78.1% of mortality, respectively, at 86 and 172 g/m2, showing the potential for the control of the lesser mealworm.
KEY WORDS
Animal production; alternative control; natural insecticide