nsect Pest Management for Stored Grain
Key Points for 2007
• Actellic 5E remains registered as the key protectant
insecticide for use on stored corn as an admixture
during binning or a topdress application to the
grain surface. Other insecticides that can be used
on stored corn in a similar manner include Diacon
II and products containing diatomaceous earth or
Bacillus thuringiensis. Additionally, a 6 percent malathion
dust remains registered and available for purchase
for use on stored corn. See the text and table
in this chapter for details.
• Storcide II has replaced Reldan and Storcide. See
Table 1 for application instructions. Storcide II contains
chlorpyrifos-methyl and deltamethrin, a pyrethroid
for which international Codex MRLs (maximum
residue limits, roughly the same as tolerances)
have been established on certain grains. Storcide II
is labeled for use on the same small grains that previously
were listed on the Reldan label.
• Although the USEPA has granted a residue tolerance
for the active ingredient spinosad on several
stored grains and international Codex MRLs have
been established, those MRLs have not yet been accepted
by all countries. Commercialization of
spinosad products for use on stored grains is not
likely before 2009
• The only malathion product labeled for direct use
on small grains and still available for purchase is
a 6 percent dust. Its label allows use on corn, barley,
oats, rice, rye, sorghum, sunflower seeds, and
wheat.
• Relatively new fumigants that are labeled for use
in grain storages include ECO2
fume, which is a mixture
of 2 percent phospine gas in carbon dioxide,
and ProFume, which is the fumigant gas sulfuryl
fluoride. These fumigants are not designed for use
by farmer applicators but instead by professional
fumigators.
Introduction
Grains produced in Illinois may be stored for periods
of a few weeks to a few years before they are fed or
processed. The profitability of such storage depends
not only upon marketing concerns but also upon
maintaining grain quality. The harvest and storage of
grain do not signal an end to the possibility of losses
caused by insects and pathogens.
Successful management of stored-grain insects
is possible only when proper storage practices are
implemented. Insecticides and fumigants should
be viewed as supplements to, not replacements for,
sound storage methods. When used properly, insecticides
and fumigants limit insect losses in stored
grains without endangering the pesticide applicator
or resulting in excessive pesticide residues that threaten
the health of consumers (livestock or humans) of
treated grain or grain products.
This chapter provides recommendations for cultural
and chemical control of stored-grain insects. It is
revised annually; always use the current year’s handbook.
Changes in registration that occur between
revisions will be announced to appropriate media
sources and to Extension offices.
5
The information in this chapter is provided for educational purposes only. Product trade names have been used for clarity, but reference to
trade names does not imply endorsement by the University of Illinois; discrimination is not intended against any