Efficacy of ethyl formate and ethyl acetate for the control of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci)

Abstract

Both adult and juvenile thrips (Thrips tabaci) reared on leeks (Allium ampeloprasum) were very susceptible to the effects of ethyl formate. Complete control was achieved at concentrations as low as 2.7g/m 3 after 2h. Treatment of thripsinfested onions (Allium cepa) with 160 g/m 3 of an aerosol containing 16.7% ethyl formate by weight in carbon dioxide killed nearly all adult thrips immediately after treatment. An assessment 9 days after treatment indicated that eggs had not been killed by the treatment. No residues of ethyl formate were detected in onions collected 1-28 days after treatment following application of two very high dose rates (236 and 756g/m 3 ). Ethyl formate had no effect on skin colour, onion firmness, or incidence of rots, and no visual signs of phytotoxicity were evident on onions treated with concentrations up to 324 g/m 3 . The highest dose of ethyl formate tested on eggs (27 g/m 3 for 2h) in small pieces of leek gave marginally lower nymph counts than the untreated control. Ethyl acetate at rates of 94 and 120 g/m 3 significantly reduced the numbers of emerging nymphs compared with those emerging from an untreated control. This fumigant is a similar compound to ethyl formate but may be less phytotoxic. When ethyl formate is used for disinfestation of heavily infested onions, a second treatment is needed to control the egg stages.

Ethyl Formate: A Potential Disinfestation Treatment for Eucalyptus Weevil (Gonipterus platensis) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Apples

“…Table grape exposure to ethyl formate at concentration up to 0.5% for 1 or 2 h were found to be well tolerated with the exception of increased rachis browning; however, after 2-d storage the rachis of untreated fruit was similarly browned (Simpson et al 2007). In the case of onion no effect on skin color, firmness, or incidence of rots and phytotoxicity were observed up to 324 g/m 3 of Vapormate (equivalent to 54 g/m 3 of ethyl formate) for 2 h (Van Epenhuijsen et al 2007). Vacuum fumigation of packaged lettuce with 0.5% ethyl formate for 2 h did not result in loss of commodity quality Aharoni 1983, Stewart andMon 1984).…”

“…The US Food and Drug Administration reviewed its use as a flavoring agent and characterized it as safe (US Food and Drug Administration 1984). Experiments have been conducted using ethyl formate as a postharvest fumigant for some pests of strawberries, table grapes, thrips in onion and lettuce (Stewart and Aharoni 1983;Stewart and Mon 1984;Simpson et al 2004Simpson et al , 2007Van Epenhuijsen et al 2007). …”

Scientific Opinion on the risk to plant health posed by Tomato spotted wilt virus to the EU territory with identification and evaluation of risk reduction options

“…Larvae hatching from these eggs will acquire the virus from the infected host plants and subsequently develop into transmitting adults that will contribute to further spread. Thrips present on cut flowers including viruliferous ones for TSWV are likely to survive transport and storage because low-temperature, controlled atmospheres (Shelton et al, 1996) or disinfectants (Liu, 2007;Simpson et al, 2007;van Epenhuijsen et al, 2007) applied to ensure product quality (Rudnicki et al, 1991) have only limited effects on thrips mortality.…”

Potential use of ethyl formate treatment to control surface pests of "Hass" avocado fruit

“…Ethyl formate is commercially available in New Zealand in combination with CO 2 as VAPORMATE™. Ethyl formate combined with CO 2 has been reported to control many pest species De Lima 2009, 2010Griffin et al 2013;Jamieson et al 2013Jamieson et al , 2014Jamieson et al , 2015Jamieson et al , 2016Pupin et al 2013;Simpson et al 2004Simpson et al , 2007van Epenhuijsen et al 2007).…”