Eficacia de Tierra Diatomea para el control de Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky en un silo metálico.

The efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth (Protect IT ®) was tested for the control of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in a metallic silo of Matanzas province, Cuba. A random design was arranged and three groups were evaluated: Protect IT (90% of diatomaceous earth), a positive control (Actellic CE 50) and an untreated control. The diatomaceous earth and Actellic were evaluated at 9.0 kg PC. ton - 1 and 12.0 ml. ton - 1, respectively. The dose of Diatomaceous Earth tested showed insecticide activity with 100% mortality percentage during the first 60 days, without statistical differences with the Actellic insecticide. After three months, the insect mortality was 60%, with statistical differences with the chemical insecticide. The results suggest the potentialities of Diatomaceous Earth (Protect IT ®) as an alternative for management of S. zeamais in metallic silos and for reducing the use of chemicals in corn grain storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]