Aerosol insecticide distribution inside a flour mill: Assessment using droplet measurements and bioassays

The distribution of aerosol applications of pyrethrin + methoprene, generated from a mechanical fogger, and pyrethrin + pyriproxyfen, dispensed from a pressurized cylinder, were characterized inside a pilot-scale flour mill using measurements of particle size and concentration and effects on adult confused flour beetles, Tribolium confusum Jacqueline duVal, in bioassay arenas. Particle measurements were made using TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) units placed in an open straight line at distances of 4.3, 8.9, and 13.5 m from the aerosol release point (open configuration). Measurements were also made using a second configuration (termed obstructed), which was done by moving the APS unit at 8.9 m underneath a piece of equipment, and moving the APS unit at 13.5 m behind a support beam. Actual concentration and calculated deposition were about 4× greater for the pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol compared to the pyrethrin + pyriproxyfen aerosol. However, efficacy was similar since bioassays using adult T. confusum showed no difference in recovery after exposure to either insecticide. Concentration and calculated deposition of both aerosols decreased with increasing distance from the spray release point and when the APS units were in the obstructed configuration, and recovery of bioassay insects after exposure increased with increasing distance from the spray release point. Results from this field trial show how efficacy of aerosol applications is impacted by distance and obstacles, and how use of equipment that measures droplet size and concentration can help quantify the dispersion and spread of insecticidal aerosols. Results also provide guidance to develop relationships between aerosol deposition and efficacy and thus improve pest management programs for structural management of stored product insects.