Peanut seeds treatment using Chenopodium ambrosioides powder + kaolin to Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) control

Abstract

This work aimed evaluating Chenopodium ambrosioides L. associated to kaolin to control Tribolium
castaneum, an important insect pest of peanut seeds. The bioassay was carried out at
the Entomology Laboratory of the Embrapa Cotton. Thirty adult insects were used per repetition
and eight evaluations at two days interval until the 15th day were accomplished. Variables
were dead insects and punched seeds number. Treatments were kaolin (1%), four concentrations
of C. ambrosioides powder (1, 2, 3 and 4%) + kaolin (1%) and the control (non-treated
seed) with four replicates. T. castaneum cumulative mortality and punched seeds percentage
was evaluated. The control efficiency was calculated by Abbott method. T. castaneum mortality
was potentialized by the association of C. ambrosioides with kaolin affecting the insects feeding
capacity. The minimal recommended concentration of C. ambrosioides for the effective
control of T. castaneum was of 2% + kaolin.