Research on the effect of native diatom soil on rice louse [Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)] and crushing louse [Tribolium confusum Jaqcquelin Du Val, 1868 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)]

In this study, which was carried out between 2023 and 2025, the efficacy of Diaterra®, a native diatomaceous earth, against two significant stored grain pests, rice weevil [Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)] and red flour beetle [Tribolium confusum Jaqcquelin Du Val, 1868 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)] adults with different surface (concrete and wood) and food applications was investigated. The surface trials were conducted at 25±2℃ and 60±5% relative humidity at 4 different doses (0.50, 1, 2 and 4 g/m2). In the applications on wood and concrete surfaces, a significant effect was observed against two pest species depending on the increasing dose and duration. In the 4 g/m² dose application on the wooden surface, 100% mortality rates were obtained at 72 hours for S. oryzae and T. confusum individuals. In the applications on the concrete surface, the mortality rates of S. oryzae and T. confusum adults after 72 hours at 4 g/m² dose were 84.71% and 100%, respectively. On both surfaces, the effect rate observed against target pests in all doses exceeded 96% by 120th hour. In food treatments, 100, 250 and 500 ppm doses were used on cracked wheat and whole wheat. The effect of food treatments was found to be lower than the surface. At 500 ppm dose, the effect on T. confusum adults on the 21st day did not reach 50%, while the effect of the same dose on S. oryzae adults on the 14th day was 84.31%. The data obtained as a result of the study revealed that Diaterra®, a native diatomaceous earth, may have the potential to be used against S. oryzae and T. confusum, especially in surface applications.