Paper Title
Effect Of Temperature On Insecticidal Efficiency Of Turkish Diatomaceous Earth Against Stored Grain Insects

Abstract
In this study, effect of temperature on insecticidal efficacy of local diatomaceous earth (DE), collected from different locations in Turkey, against the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae (L.)), the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum du Val.) and the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica (F.)) was studied. For that purpose, biological tests were carried out at three temperatures (20, 25 and 30 ˚C) and %55 relative humidity (r.h.) on wheat treated with 0, 100, 300, 500, 900 and 1500 ppm (mg DE/kg grain) concentrations of Turkish diatomaceous earth. Mortality levels of S. oryzae generally increased with increasing temperature for the treatments of Turkish DE and mortality levels at 30˚C were significantly higher than those at 20˚C and 25˚C. For T. confusum adults treated with Turkish DE, mortality levels of increased with increasing temperature. However, for R. dominica adults treated with Turkish DE, mortality levels at 20˚C were significantly higher than those at 25˚C and 30˚C. In conclusion, present study indicated that temperature had significant effect on insecticidal efficacy of Turkish DE against tested stored grain insects. Temperature effect on insecticidal efficacy of tested local diatomaceous earths varied with tested insect species and concentration of diatomaceous earth. Key Words- Local diatomaceous earth, temperature, Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica