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Chlorantraniliprole, an anthranilic diamide insecticide, has emerged as a promising solution for controlling agricultural pests because of its low mammalian toxicity and selectivity towards non-target organisms. This study investigated the sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on the mobility behavior of two significant stored-product pests, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Contact toxicity assays revealed varying susceptibility levels between the two species, with S. zeamais showing higher sensitivity. Subsequent analysis of mobility behavior, both in the presence and absence of food, indicated significant differences between chlorantraniliprole-exposed and control groups. While S. oryzae exhibited altered locomotion patterns and a decreased number of food approaches at sublethal concentrations, S. zeamais displayed increased walking time and reduced immobility periods. These findings highlight the importance of considering sublethal effects in understanding the overall impact of chlorantraniliprole on stored-product pests. Further research into the long-term consequences of sublethal exposure is warranted to inform more effective pest management strategies in storage.

The Apiaceae family, known for aromatic plants producing bioactive essential oils (EOs), holds significance across sectors, including agrochemicals. This study evaluated the insecticidal potential of four Apiaceae EOs from Crithmum maritimum L., Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill, Smyrnium olusatrum L., and Elwendia persica (Boiss.) Pimenov and Kljuykov against various significant storage pests (Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Trogoderma granarium Everts, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jacquelin du Val, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), Acarus siro L., and Tenebrio molitor L.) on wheat. Insect mortality rates were monitored at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days. Smyrnium olusatrum EO exhibited the highest efficacy, followed by T. ammi, C. maritimum, and E. persica EOs, although efficacy varied by species, developmental stage, and concentration. Notably, complete mortality occurred for several pests at 1000 ppm of S. olusatrum and T. ammi EOs. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed key compounds in these EOs, including myrcene, germacrone, and curzerene in S. olusatrum EO, and thymol, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene in T. ammi EO. These findings emphasize their potential as botanical insecticides. Smyrnium olusatrum and T. ammi EOs emerge as promising eco-friendly pest management options due to their efficacy, highlighted compound composition, and availability of biomass from both wild and cultivated sources.

Essential oil (EO)-based nanoemulsions (NEs) are promising grain protectants in the management of stored-product pests. However, the potential impact of the stored-grain species on the green insecticide effectiveness has been poorly studied. In this study, two concentrations of EO-based NEs from Carlina acaulis L., Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds., and Hazomalania voyronii (Jum.) Capuron were evaluated as insecticides against the major stored-product pest Sitophilus oryzae (L.) on barley, oats, and maize kernels. The C. acaulis EO-based NE applied at 1000 ppm on barley achieved the highest mortality, killing 94.4% of S. oryzae adults after a 7-day exposure, followed by 1000 ppm of H. voyronii EO-based NE (83.3%). The lowest mortality (1.1%) was recorded with 500 ppm of M. longifolia EO-based NE on maize after the same interval. All tested NEs exhibited elevated efficacy when applied on barley, while mortalities were lower on oats and maize. Furthermore, C. acaulis EO-based NE was the most effective when applied on all commodities, followed by H. voyronii and M. longifolia EO-based NEs. Overall, our results highlighted the significant impact of the stored cereal on the insecticidal effectiveness of EO-based NE used for stored-product pest control. Sitophilus oryzae adults on barley can be adequately controlled through the application of C. acaulis and H. voyronii EO-based NEs.

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is an important stored-product pest for the poultry industry as it is a vector of dangerous pathogens for humans. In the present study, we evaluated the short- and long-term mortalities of small and large larvae of A. diaperinus when they were exposed to concrete-covered Petri dishes treated with etofenprox, deltamethrin, and the combination of piperonyl butoxide+acetamiprid+d-tetramethrin. Small and large larvae were exposed to each insecticide applied on concrete surfaces with or without food. The short-term mortality was recorded after 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days, while the long-term mortality was recorded 7 days after the transport of the larvae alive to pesticide-free concrete-covered dishes. Regarding short-term mortality levels, 97.8% and 80.0% of the small and large larvae, that were exposed to etofenprox without food, died after 7 days of exposure, respectively. Concerning deltamethrin, all tested small larvae were killed after 3 days (without food) and 5 days (with food) of exposure. For large larvae, deltamethrin caused 98.9% (with food) and 100.0% (without food) mortality levels after 5 days of exposure. The combination of piperonyl butoxide+acetamiprid+d-tetramethrin caused high mortality levels to small larvae, i.e., 84.4% and 100.0% on dishes with and without food, respectively, but low to moderate mortality levels to large larvae that did not exceed 67.8% after 7 days of exposure. Long-term mortality varied vastly among the tested insecticides. Etofenprox killed 100.0% of the small larvae on concrete without food, but 24.0% of the large larvae exposed to concrete containing food. Deltamethrin did not provide long-term mortality to large larvae when food was present. Piperonyl butoxide+acetamiprid+d-tetramethrin caused mortality rates that overall varied from 33.5% (large larvae on concrete with food) to 85.0% (small larvae on concrete with food). In conclusion, deltamethrin killed almost all exposed larvae at exposures of ≤5 days, regardless of their size and the presence of food on the concrete.