Dr. Frank Arthur Research Entomologist Biological Research Unit Grain Marketing & Production Research Center 1515 College Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502 Voice: (785) 776-2783 Fax: (785) 537-5584 frank.arthur@ars.usda.gov ars.usda.gov/npa/gmprc/bru/arthur

Research Interests

Frank Arthur received his Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State University in December 1985. He joined the staff of the Stored Product Insects Research and Development Laboratory at Savannah, GA in March 1986, and was transferred to the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center upon closure of the Savannah Laboratory in November 1994. He is responsible for developing applied research programs for insect pest management in stored cereal grains and processed food warehouses. Previous studies have included pesticide degradation on stored commodities, residual efficacy of insecticides applied to different substrates, evaluation of new chemicals for use in post-harvest environments, and expanded use of aeration to control insect pests in stored grains. Current research interests are the development of aeration management strategies for crops stored in different geographic regions, evaluation of microbial pathogens for use in raw grains or on surface substrates, identification of physical and environmental factors that affect the efficacy of residual insecticides, and simulated field studies involving chemical and non-chemical controls. Research projects often involve cooperative efforts with private industry, other entomologists at the Manhattan laboratory, research and extension entomologists at various state universities, and biologists associated with the U. S. Military.

Project Information

Beetle Immigration into Foundation Seed Warehouses

Understanding and eliminating routes of insect immigration into grain storage and processing facilities will provide new opportunities for targeted pest management. Stored-product Coleoptera were captured on unbaited rodent glue boards positioned on the floor, along the sides, and above overhead doors in Foundation Seed Warehouses located in Kansas and Nebraska. Traps were examined and replaced weekly from May through October 2004. To examine the effects of exclusion in paired tests, exterior rubber door gaskets were installed on one side of a door in Kansas and both doors in Nebraska. Species captured included the lesser grain borer, foreign grain beetle, rusty grain beetle, hairy fungus beetle, rice weevil and red flour beetle. When rubber gaskets were installed at the Kansas location, insect captures were concentrated at or near ground level suggesting that pest management efforts, such as residual spray applications, should be focused in these areas.
     Poster

Efficacy of Aerosols for Managing the Red Flour Beetle

Pest management professionals commonly utilize aerosolized liquid applications, also known as fogging, for management of stored-product insects including the red flour beetle. These applications are part of a potential methyl bromide replacement technology because they may increase the time interval between structural fumigations or heat treatments. The objectives of this study were to examine influence of flour accumulation, exposure location , life stage, and insecticide on the efficacy of aerosol applications. Data show that aerosolized insecticide applications in dishes without food residues placed in the open produced the highest red flour beetle mortality. Conversely, mortality significantly decreased with food and exposure under pallets.
     Poster

Efficacy of Methoprene Against Neonates of Lesser Grain Borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on Rough Rice

Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is one of the most important insect pests in rough rice. Females lay eggs outside kernels and the larvae bore and feed inside the kernel. Methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) which is applied on rice as a protectant. Methoprene affects egg and larval stages of R. dominica on rough rice. The methoprene-treated rice decreased the number of larvae hatching from eggs. Most of the larvae that bore into kernels treated with methoprene will die before reaching the adult stage, while larvae inside the untreated kernels are able to develop to adult.
     Poster

Evaluation of Methoprene Combined with Diatomaceous Earth to Control the Lesser Grain Borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in Stored Wheat

The combination of methoprene and DE produced additive effects. Reduced rates of DE gave immediate mortality and reduced rates of methoprene prevented F1 adults. This method of application is a possible new control strategy on stored wheat.
     Research Paper      Poster

Flight Activity of the Lesser Grain Borer Near Certified Seed Facilities

Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), lesser grain borer (LGB), is a serious pest of stored grain and grain processing facilities throughout temperate regions of the US. Foundation-certified seed stock facilities currently rely on application of chlorpyrifos-methyl directly to seed, applications of contact insecticides around the warehouse perimeter, and annual warehouse fumigation to manage this pest. The most common formulation of chlorpyrifos-methyl labeled for use on stored grain will no longer be available starting in 2005. To develop an IPM program for these facilities, LGB flight activity in and around a Kansas warehouse and the primary routes of insect immigration were studied. Results are broadly applicable to any grain storage or processing facility.
     Poster

Fumigation Impact on Stored Product Insects in a Grain Processing Facility

Stored product insect pests reduce the quality of stored grain and processed grain products around the world. Losses to processed grain products are difficult to quantify but are undoubtedly greater because these products are more valuable yet have a lower pest tolerance than raw commodities. Insect management is important not only to maintain consumer confidence, but also because federal laws regulate insect presence in processing facilities and insect fragments in processed goods. Fumigation is the primary tool used to manage these insect infestations.
     Poster

Insect pest management in stored bulk grains and seeds: reduced risk-insecticides and non-chemical controls

Diatomaceous Earth, Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), Seed Treatments
     Poster

Insect Populations in Grain Residues from Kansas Elevators

Most U.S. wheat is stored in large commercial elevators. Elevator silos can quickly become infested with stored-grain insects. Sources of infestation may include old grain, trucks and railcars, and spilled grain in outside areas. Nine elevators in Kansas were visited repeatedly for 2 years, frequency depended on amount of grain stored. Grain residues are likely sources for dispersal and infestation.
     Research Paper      Poster

Insecticides to control stored-product insects in mills, processing plants, food warehouses, and urban storages

Red Flour Beetle (RFB) and Confused Flour Beetle (CFB) are major pests of stored food. Newer insecticides used to control these pests have reduced mammalian toxicity. Physical and biological factors can affect insecticidal efficacy. These factors include insecticide formulation, temperature, relative humidity (RH), the presence of food materials, and insect species. New research with Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) affects insect molting hormones and prevents or inhibits adult emergence.
     Poster

Survival of red flour beetles after exposure to cyfluthrin: effects of a food source

Food warehouses, processing plants, and mills often contain residual food and hidden areas that support insect infestations. Sanitation programs for these indoor storage structures include the use of residual insecticides as crack and crevice treatments or spot treatments. However, insects may encounter the insecticidal residues for comparatively brief intervals during normal foraging and feeding activity. The objectives of this test were to determine: 1) the exposure intervals required to kill red flour beetles exposed on concrete treated with cyfluthrin wettable powder (WP), and 2) effects of a food source on beetle survival.
     Web Page      Research Paper

The effects of temperature on residual efficacy of cyfluthrin wettable powder.

The toxicity of most organophosphate insecticides generally increases as temperatures increase. In contrast, toxicity of pyrethroids often decreases as temperatures increase, although results can vary depending on chemical structure, the target species, the specific insecticide, and the temperature range. The objectives of this test were to determine: 1) the effect of temperature on knockdown and survival of red flour beetles exposed on concrete treated with 9.5 mg per ft2 20% [AI] cyfluthrin wettable powder (WP), and 2) effects associated with residue aging.
     Web Page      Research Paper

Toxicity of diatomaceous earth (protect-it) to red flour beetles and confused flour beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): effects of temperature and relative humidity.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural product composed of fossilized diatoms (aquatic phytoplankton) from freshwater or marine sedimentary deposits. They absorb waxy fats and oils (lipids) from the insect cuticle and may also physically cut and damage the cuticle. This inhibits insects ability to retain water, and they die from dessication. Factors such as the target insect species, environmental conditions, and exposure interval can affect the response of insects to DE. The objectives of this test were to determine: 1) effect of temperature and relative humidity on mortality of red flour beetles and confused flour beetles, 2) variation in mortality between the two species, and 3) if mortality would continue to occur after the beetles were removed from the treated environment.
     Web Page      Research Paper

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) News

Magazine Articles

Fighting Insect Pests of Stored Foods

News, Miscellaneous

Hydroprene--Tool For Fending Off Packaged-Food Pests

Protecting Perishables From Package Pests

Natural Product Helps Insects “Bite the Dust”

Recent Publications

To list all publications and request reprints for which no PDF file is available, click here.
PDF	Arthur, F.H. 2008. Aerosol distribution and efficacy in a commercial food warehouse. Insect Science 15: 133-140.
PDF	Arthur, F.H. 2008. Efficacy of chlorfenapyr against Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults exposed on concrete, vinyl tile, and plywood surfaces. J. Stored Prod. Res. 44: 145-151.
	Arthur, F.H., J.E. Throne, and Y. Chanbang. 2008. Combination treatments with diatomaceous earth and methoprene to control Rhyzopertha dominica, the lesser grain borer, in stored rough rice. Contribution for Integrated Management of Stored Rice Pests (handbook). pp. 260-268.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., Y. Yang, L.T. Wilson, and T.J. Siebenmorgen. 2008. Feasibility of automatic aeration for insect pest management for rice stored in east Texas. Appl. Eng. Agric. 24: 345-350.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2008. Hull characteristics as related to susceptibility of different varieties of rough rice to Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 44: 205-212.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, J.E. Throne, and B. Subramanyam. 2008. Susceptibility of eggs and adult fecundity of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, exposed to methoprene. J. Insect Sci. 8: 48, 6 pp.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, J.E. Throne, and B.H. Subramanyam. 2008. Methodology for assessing rice varieties for resistance to the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica. J. Insect Sci. 8: 16, 5 pp.
	Arthur, F. 2007. Insect pest management in stored products using reduced-risk insecticides. Integrated Protection of Stored Products IOBC/wprs Bulletin 30: 233-241.
	Arthur, F.H. 2007. Low-level pest control: using ULV insecticides in commercial facilities. AIB Update, September/October 2007 10-11. (Link to article)
PDF	Arthur, F.H., and J.F. Campbell. 2007. Distribution and efficacy of pyrethrin aerosol to control Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in food storage facilities. J. Stored Prod. Res. 44: 58-64.
	Arthur, F.H., E.A. Vardeman, J.R. Nechols, and J.F. Campbell. 2007. Diatomaceous earth surface treatment for stored wheat. Integrated Protection of Stored Products IOBC/wprs Bulletin 30: 243-249.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., R.C. Bautista, and T.J. Siebenmorgen. 2007. Influence of growing location and cultivar on Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation of rough rice. Insect Science 14: 231-239.
	Campbell, J.F., and F.H. Arthur. 2007. Ecological implications for post harvest integrated pest management of grain and grain-based products, p. 406-431. In: Ecologically Based Integrated Pest Management. CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Efficacy of diatomaceous earth to control Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in rough rice: Impacts of temperature and relative humidity. Crop Protection 26: 923-929.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Efficacy of diatomaceous earth and methoprene, alone and in combination, against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in rough rice. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 396-401.
PDF	Hubert, J., V. Stejskal, Z. Munzbergova, J. Hajslova, and F.H. Arthur. 2007. Toxicity and efficacy of selected pesticides and new acaricides to stored product mites (Acari: Acaridida). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 42: 283-290.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Biology and management of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored products. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 302-311.
PDF	Tilley, D.R., M.E. Casada, and F.H. Arthur. 2007. Heat treatment for disinfestation of empty grain storage bins. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 221-228.
PDF	Tilley, D.R., M.R. Langemeier, M.E. Casada, and F.H. Arthur. 2007. Cost and risk analysis of heat and chemical treatments. J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 604-612.
PDF	Toews, M.D., J. Perez-Mendoza, J.E. Throne, F.E. Dowell, E. Maghirang, F.H. Arthur, and J.F. Campbell. 2007. Rapid assessment of insect fragments in flour milled from wheat infested with known densities of immature and adult Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 1714-1723.
PDF	Vardeman, E.A., F.H. Arthur, J.R. Nechols, and J.F. Campbell. 2007. Efficacy of surface applications with diatomaceous earth to control Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored wheat. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 335-341.
PDF	Vardeman, E.A., J.F. Campbell, F.H. Arthur, and J.R. Nechols. 2007. Behavior of female Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in a mono-layer of wheat treated with diatomaceous earth. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 297-301.
PDF	Arthur, F.H. 2006. Initial and delayed mortality of late-instar larvae, pupae, and adults of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) exposed at variable temperatures and time intervals. J. Stored Prod. Res. 42: 1-7.
	Arthur, F.H. 2006. Advances in integrating insect growth regulators into storage pest management. Proceedings of the 9th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. Brazilian Post-harvest Association - ABRAPOS, p. 217-223.
PDF	Arthur, F.H., D.W. Hagstrum, P.W. Flinn, C.R. Reed, and T.W. Phillips. 2006. Insect populations in grain residues associated with commercial Kansas grain elevators. J. Stored Prod. Res. 42: 226-239.
PDF	Butts, C.L., J.W. Dorner, S.L. Brown, and F.H. Arthur. 2006. Aerating farmer stock peanut storage in the Southeastern U.S. Trans. ASABE 49: 457-465.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene prolongs developmental time and increases mortality in wandering-phase Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1509-1519.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene prolongs developmental time and increases mortality of Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1007-1016.
PDF	Mohandass, S.M., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene: mode of action, current status in stored-product pest management, insect resistance, and future prospects. Crop Protection 25: 902-909.
PDF	Toews, M.D., J.F. Campbell, and F.H. Arthur. 2006. Temporal dynamics and response to fogging or fumigation of stored-product Coleoptera in a grain processing facility. J. Stored Prod. Res. 42: 480-498.
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