Masumeh Ziaee - Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

Insecticidal efficacy of three diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations, DEBBM, DEA and F۲ was evaluated on three different wheat cultivars, Chamran, Verinak and Behrang, against Tribolium confusum Jacqueline du Val. DEs were applied at the rates of ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg. Bioassays were carried out on wheat at ۲۷ ± ۱ °Cand ۵۵ ± ۵% RH in continuous darkness. Mortality of adults was counted after ۲, ۷ and ۱۴ days of exposure. Adults of T. confusum were the most susceptible to DEBBM in Behrang. So that DEBBM concentration of ۱۰۰ mg/kg after ۷ days of exposure caused ۹۸% mortality which reached ۱۰۰ after ۱۴ days. Therefore, Behrang was the most tolerant cultivar to T. confusum infestations. Furthermore, DEBBM was more effective than the other two testedformulations.

Diatomaceous earth, Protection, Tribolium confusum, Wheat