Oral Toxicity, Formulation Effects, and Field Performance of Flufenoxuron Against the German Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Abstract

Laboratory and field studies on the benzoylphenyl urea (BPU) chitin synthetase inhibitor flufenoxuron (DPX EY-059) showed great potential for its use in suppressing infestations of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). When fed continuously to fifth (last) instars, the LC50 of flufenoxuron was estimated at 0.82 ppm (95% FL, 0.76-0.87 ppm). A rating scale specific for BPU effects was developed and shown to be positively correlated with the insect's exposure to concentration of flufenoxuron. Manipulating the particle size of wettable powder formulations of flufenoxuron significantly altered their activity in contact bioassays. Larger particles (volume mean diameter, 12.2 mu; range, 10-20 mu) were more active. Field trials in multifamily housing with this wettable powder formulation at 0.033 and 0.066% (AI) achieved high level (greater than 80%) population suppression within 8 wk of treatment. The potential for the use of flufenoxuron in B. germanica management programs is discussed.