Relationships between insecticide use, grain hygiene and insecticide resistance in Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (coleoptera: silvanidae) on grain-producing farms

Abstract

Levels of resistance in Oryzaephilus surinamensis were related to grain treatments and hygiene practices on 63 grain-producing farms in New South Wales, Australia. Grain-protectant treatment was generally effective in reducing infestation levels. Hygiene measures by themselves had little effect on infestation levels, but good hygiene improved the efficacy of protectant treatment. In some instances, protectant use was associated with high resistance levels; high insect densities and the highest levels of resistance were recorded from storages in which treated grain was added to old grain residues. We consider good farm hygiene should be practised to slow the development of resistance.