Insecticide effects of non-toxic inorganic powders against bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus)

Abstract

Insecticide effect of ZnO, TiO2, AL2O3 and zeolite powders were studied on bean weevil (Achanthoscelides obtectus Say, 1831). Mortality of both male and female adults was significantly higher for zeolite and Al2O3 powders than ZnO and TiO2, while females were less suspectibile than male. SEM analysis of the insects treated with Al2O3 revealet that disability and mortality of bean weevils can be related to degree of powder covergate of the insects exosceleton. All powders showed similar effect to development of F1 progeny with reduction in larvae number over 50%, and can be considered for use in organic production.