Summary of Funded Project and Approaches

Consortium for Integrated Management of Stored Product Insect Pests

Summary of Funded Project and Approaches:

Stored-product insects cause economic losses and quality deterioration in stored grain and processed foods. Organophosphorous (OP) insecticides and fumigants, phosphine and methyl bromide, are used to control infestations. This project addresses the potential loss of OPs, mandated by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

A Consortium for Integrated Management of Stored Product Insect Pests (CIMSPIP) was established as a collaboration between Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Purdue University, the USDA-ARS Grain Marketing and Production Research Center, and industry. The Consortium is focused on development and implementation of management programs as alternatives to OPs and phosphine or methyl bromide. CIMSPIP brings together entomologists, engineers, and economists to develop and implement innovative approaches to reduce reliance on OPs and fumigants, mandated by FQPA. Advantages of this Consortium has been the sharing of critical resources and facilities, fostering collaborations to conduct world-class research, education and training, and integrating expertise from academia, USDA-ARS, and industry.

The collaborative efforts have resulted in research-based, innovative pest management strategies that employ knowledge of ecology, sampling, modeling, geo-statistics, expert systems, genetics, semiochemicals, growth regulators, botanical/microbial insecticides, desiccants, extreme temperatures, and newer fumigants.

A significant outcome of the research is innovative pest management technology being disseminated via the Internet, scientific publications, extension bulletins, workshops, and a national conference. Stakeholder reviews were solicited to evaluate project outcomes and impacts in Year 2. We expect new labels to be generated for expanded use of already registered, "safe" materials for new stored product applications. Undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, extension educators, industry representatives, and pest control operators will receive cutting-edge training in stored product IPM.

Efficacy of new insecticide chemistries, including botanicals, growth regulators, microbials, and traditional chemicals, are being determined using standard toxicological tests in the laboratory and field. Determining the chemical ecology of stored product insect pests has entailed using electrophysiological, behavioral, and chemical methods. Additionally, behavioral observations are being undertaken on developing attracticides and other behavior modifying methods. Based on these methods, we hope to have optimized the sex pheromones and other behavior modifying chemicals for use in controlling insect pests. Genomics research is identifying molecular markers than can isolate and identify breeding populations on either a local or a larger geographic scale, determine infestation sources, and identify geographic or other barriers to gene flow between populations. Spatial analysis and contour mapping is being used to develop effective methods to interpret trap catch and monitor changes in insect populations before and after a chemical or non-chemical intervention. We are also developing practical methods for interpreting trap catch data for use by the grain storage and food industries. The Electronic Grain Probe Insect Counter (EGPIC) is an automated system that displays real-time data indicative of local insect densities from infrared-beam sensors located throughout stored commodities. Automated data collection can provide an early warning, allowing a manager increased control options, such as the use of a minimal amount of pesticide or a non-toxic alternative control measure (controlled atmosphere, aeration, etc.), and it can also be used to judge effectiveness of a treatment. A near-infra red (NIR) spectrometer has been coupled with a singulator to automatically feed individual wheat kernels to the spectrometer. This NIRS unit is being used to differentiate wheat kernels containing internally-feeding insect pests from uninfested kernels. Insect pathogenic fungi are synergized by diatomaceous earth (DE), another non-toxic stored grain insect control agent. Application of DE at low, problem-free rates with B. bassiana has been discovered to be an efficacious, safe way to control many beetles. Our plan is to identify other synergistic materials and to scale up testing of B. bassiana with DE and other synergists to demonstrate operational practicality. Alternative fumigants, heat and cold treatments, and controlled atmospheres are being tested in research bins/elevators and flourmills and in commercial bins and mills. Modeling studies are being conducted specifically to evaluate different aeration management strategies for stored wheat and stored corn. We are developing a degree-hour model to predict insect mortality during heat treatment. Laboratory experiments at several constant and variable temperatures, simulating an actual heat-up, are underway in a programmable oven to establish a base temperature to start accumulating degree-hours. This model will be validated during actual heat treatments in pilot mills and in commercial food-handling establishments. Simulated field research in small-scale bins has been conducted to validate population models. The outreach and technology transfer portion of this research includes new extension and education materials for our diverse clientele, field days and presentations, national and regional workshops, training courses, and a comprehensive web site to provide up-to-date information.