Mortality of Turkish diatomaceous earth against German cockroach (Blattella germanica L. Blattodea: Ectobiidae) adults

Abstract

In this study, the mortality of diatom earth from Turkey coded ACN-1 against the German cockroach (Blattella gemanica L. Blattodea: Ectobiidae) adults on concrete, ceramic and parquet surfaces was investigated. Biological tests were carried out on three different surfaces against the adults of B. germanica at doses of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 g/m2 diatom earth coded ACN-1 for 6 days. In all surface applications of ACN-1 diatomaceous earth, exposure time and doses caused significant effect on mortality rates of B. germanica adults. Diatom earth ACN-1 at 2.5 g/m2 caused 97.5%, 92.3% and 90% of mortality of B. germanica adults on the surfaces of concrete, ceramic and parquet at the end of the first day, respectively and 100% of mortality was obtained at the end of the second day in all conditions with this dose. For all other application doses, 100% mortality of B .germanica adults was observed at the end of the first day. In general, the mortality activity of ACN-1 diatom eartn against B. germanica adults was found to be similar on all three surfaces. We conclude that the Turkish diatom earth coded ACN-1, which is harmless to the environment, has the potential to be used in the control of B. germanica, which is a medical pest, and can be a good alternative in the control against this pest.