Sublethal exposure of Trogoderma granarium everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) to insecticide-treated netting alters thigmotactic arrestment and olfactory-mediated anemotaxis

Long-lasting insecticide treated netting (LLIN) has a number of potential uses for the control of insect pests. Using such netting, stored products may be protected from insects including the khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts, Coleoptera: Dermestidae) a widespread pest of many agricultural commodities. Here we first examined whether brief exposures of larvae to LLIN, for less than 30 min, decreased the chance of eventual adult emergence compared to larvae exposed on untreated netting. Next, we observed the responses of larvae that were either not exposed to any netting, exposed to untreated netting, or exposed to LLIN for 10 min and then placed in a wind tunnel and monitored for movement toward a stimulus. The wind-tunnel assay was performed either with or without a lure containing kairomones and pheromones known to be attractive to larvae of this species. There was little effect of the LLIN on adult emergence of exposed larvae. However, there were interacting effects of untreated netting and LLIN relating to thigmotaxis and anemotaxis. Larvae not exposed to netting showed increased likelihood of walking upwind if the semiochemical lure was provided, as expected. A similar pattern was observed when the untreated netting was used, but the larvae became more likely to remain stationary in the assay after acclimating to the net. When LLIN was used, the larvae became more likely to move and there was a baseline increase in the likelihood of moving upwind. However, upwind walking was no longer related to semiochemical presentation. These observations suggest that particular care should be used in relation to the airflow patterns and semiochemical landscape of the warehouse settings in which LLIN is deployed.