Modeling the Efficacy of Phosphine on Eggs of Major Stored-Product Insect Species: Investigating Strains with Varying Susceptibility Levels

Marina Gourgouta (), Maria K. Sakka, Evmorfia P. Bataka, M. Carolin Götze, Christos T. Nakas and Christos G. Athanassiou
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Marina Gourgouta: Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., Magnesia, 38446 Volos, Greece
Maria K. Sakka: Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., Magnesia, 38446 Volos, Greece
Evmorfia P. Bataka: Laboratory of Biometry, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agriculture, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., Magnesia, 38446 Volos, Greece
M. Carolin Götze: Detia Freyberg GmbH, Application Technology, Dr.-Werner-Freyberg-Str. 11, D-69469 Laudenbach, Germany
Christos T. Nakas: Laboratory of Biometry, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agriculture, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., Magnesia, 38446 Volos, Greece
Christos G. Athanassiou: Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., Magnesia, 38446 Volos, Greece

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Phosphine is a widely utilized fumigant insecticide in stored-product facilities; however, its excessive application and improper usage have contributed to the emergence of resistance in insect populations. Although phosphine resistance is globally recognized, limited studies address its effects across different developmental stages. This research investigates the efficacy of phosphine on the eggs of major stored-product pests, including Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), Tribolium castaneum , and T. confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), focusing on strains with varying levels of phosphine susceptibility. Egg hatching rates were analyzed following exposure to phosphine concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 ppm for durations of 1 to 7 days. Predictive models were constructed to correlate phosphine concentration and exposure time, facilitating the determination of optimal pest control strategies. The findings reveal significant differences in efficacy among species and strains, with eggs from susceptible strains experiencing complete hatch failure at 50 ppm, while resistant strains showed higher tolerance. Lethal time (LT50 and LT99) values were determined, with LT99 ranging from 6.91 to 12.95 days at 50 ppm, highlighting species-specific and age-related differences in phosphine susceptibility. Lethal concentration (LC 50 and LC 99 ) values could only be estimated for T. castaneum , with LC 99 for 1-day-old eggs ranging from 773.67 ppm to 923.03 ppm after 2.5 days of exposure. Furthermore, egg age influenced susceptibility, with 2-day-old eggs exhibiting greater mortality compared to 1-day-old eggs. This study underscores the critical role of phosphine concentration, exposure duration, and developmental stage in resistance management, providing valuable insights for enhancing fumigation protocols and improving the control of stored-product pests.

Keywords: beetles; fumigation effect; phosphine resistance; predictive models; stored-product insects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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