Effectiveness of pyrethrum aerosol for managing Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in food storage facilities

Abstract: The study investigates the efficacy of pyrethrum aerosol space treatments for
managing insect populations in indoor storage facilities, focusing on the effect toward
Tribolium castaneum adults. The experiments were conducted in two empty warehouses of
different sizes (400 m3 and 4,800 m3 ), evaluating the impact of the treatment in the presence or absence of food substrates (3 g of flour) located in Sicily (Italy). In both locations, the results showed significant impacts of the pyrethrum treatment on pest survival. The treatment effect was more marked in individuals that were treated in absence of food in comparison with the ones that were treated with food. This aspect highlights the importance of considering environmental factors for implementing integrated pest management strategies and emphasizes the critical role of hygiene measures in such contexts.