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Field evaluation of plaster-based temephos pellets for residual control of midge larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) in establishing rice crops

A pelletised formulation of temephos (5% a.i.) was evaluated as a potential control agent for chironomid midge larvae in establishing rice crops. Four application rates between 0.03 and 0.53 mg a.i./L (42-732 g a.i./ha) were applied to 80 m2 experimental rice bays immediately after flooding. Water samples and soil core samples were taken at regular intervals until 29 days post-treatment. Larvae were extracted from core samples using magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) flotation, whilst laboratory-reared fourth instar Chironomus tepperi Skuse larvae were used in bioassays with field-collected water samples to determine pesticide activity in the water column. All treatments significantly suppressed C. tepperi-type larvae in the field for at least 13 days. Some suppression of non-C. tepperi-type larvae was obtained at 0.27 mg a.i./L, whilst at 0.53 mg a.i./L all chironomids were reduced to negligible levels for the full period of the trial. In bioassays, significant levels of water column toxicity to fourth instar C. tepperi larvae were only recorded for 2 days after treatment at the highest application rate. Our results indicate that plaster-based temephos pellets have the potential to provide effective, single application control of chironomid larvae in establishing rice crops without the risk of spray drift inherent in the aerial application of liquid insecticides.