Control of arthropod infestation using particles comprising an entomopathogen and wax

Abstract

Composite particles containing hydrophobic particles and spores of an entomopathogenic fungus that are capable of germinating on the cuticle of a grain storage arthropod, dry powder compositions comprising such composite particles, methods of producing such compositions and methods and uses thereof.

1 . A method of controlling grain storage arthropod infestation in a grain storage area comprising present composite particles to surfaces of a grain storage area by:
 i. collecting the composite particles in a dusting apparatus;   ii. releasing the said particles from the said dusting apparatus and into the said grain storage area,   wherein the composite particles comprise a) a hydrophobic particle that adheres to the cuticle of at least one species of grain storage arthropod: and b) spores of an entomopathogenic fungus  Beauveria bassiana,  strain IMI 398548, that adhere to the said particles and that are capable of germinating on the cuticles of the at least one species of grain storage arthropod.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is a wax having a melting point ≧50 ° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is a wax having a melting point of ≧60° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is a wax particle selected from carnauba wax, bees wax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, ouricury wax and rice bran wax. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is carnauba wax. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more species of grain storage arthropod is an insect. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more species of grain storage arthropod is selected from the group  Oryzaephilus surinamensis  (saw-toothed grain beetle),  Sitophilus granarius  (grain weevil), and  Cryptoestes ferruginus  (rust-red grain beetle). 
     
     
         8 . The method of claim, wherein the composite particle has a diameter of ≧10 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite particle has a diameter of ≧12 μm. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling grain storage arthropod infestation in a grain storage area, comprising presenting a dry powder composition to surfaces of the grain storage area, wherein the dry powder composition comprises a) hydrophobic particles that adheres to the cuticles of one or more species of grain storage arthropod; and b) spores of an entomopathogenic fungus  Beauveria bassiana,  strain IMI 398548, that adhere to the hydrophobic particles and that are capable of germinating on the cuticles of the one or more species of grain storage arthropod. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composite particles have a volume mean diameter of ≧10 μm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composite particles have a volume mean diameter of ≧12 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the weight of the hydrophobic particles if 50 to 80% by weight of the composite particles. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing compositions comprising composite particles comprising a) a hydrophobic particle that adheres to the cuticle of at least one species of grain storage arthropod; and b) spores of an entomopathogenic fungus  Beauveria bassiana  strain IMI 398548, that adhere to the said particles and that are capable of germinating on the cuticles of the at least one species of grain storage arthropod, the method comprising the steps of:
 i. micronising dry hydrophobic carrier particles that adhere to the cuticles of at least one species of grain storage arthropod; and   ii. admixing dry spores of  Beauveria bassiana  to the carrier particles.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is a wax having a melting point ≧50° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic particle is a wax particle selected from carnauba wax, bees wax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, ouricury wax and rice bran wax. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more species of grain storage arthropod is an insect. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more species of grain storage arthropod is selected from the group  Oryzaephilus surinamensis  (saw-toothed grain beetle),  Sitophilus granarius  (grain weevil), and  Cryptolestes ferruginus  (rust-red grain beetle). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composite particle has a diameter of ≧10 μm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composite particle has a diameter of ≧12 μm.