Efficacy of Pyriproxyfen for Control of Stored-Product Psocids (Psocoptera) on Concrete Surfaces

The insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen was evaluated as a surface treatment for control of three stored-product psocid pests Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, Liposcelis decolor (Pearman), and Liposcelis paeta Pearman (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). Nymphs were exposed for 35 d on a concrete surface treated with 2.3 mg of active ingredient/m2 pyriproxyfen. Exposure to pyriproxyfen significantly reduced the numbers of both adults and nymphs in comparison with untreated controls. In adults, the greatest reduction (> 90%) was for L. decolor and L. bostrychophila, whereas for L. paeta it was 49%. Few adults of any species were found in the pyriproxyfen treatments. The greatest numbers of nymphs were recorded for L. bostrychophila for both pyriproxyfen treatments and controls. Few adults of any species were found in the pyriproxyfen treatments. The results indicate that pyriproxyfen is effective for control of L. bostrychophila, L. decolor, and L. paeta on concrete, and although complete control was not achieved, the results warrant further long-term study to determine whether pyriproxyfen can completely eliminate psocid populations over time.