| Abstract: | Wettable powder formulations of the organophosphorus insecticides, fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl, and the pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin, have been compared for persistence and activity on woven polypropylene fabric; the residues produced in maize kept under the test sheets have also been measured. The test insects were Sitophilus oryzue (L.) and Tribolium custuneum (Herbst). Permethrin at 41 and 83 mg m?2 was completely effective for the full 12 weeks of the experiment. Deltamethrin at 6.2 and 12.5 mg m?2 was almost equally effective but after 4 weeks the deposit was slower acting against S. oryzae. The organophosphorus compounds were effective only up to 2 weeks at 250 mg m?2 and up to 4 weeks at 500 mg m?2. No residues could be detected under the pyrethroids but the organophosphorus insecticides gave residues of 2–4 mg kg?1 on a thin layer of grain. This residue was biologically effective against the test insects. |
