Phosphine and its effect on some common insects in cut flowers

Abstract

The most effective fumigant for insect disinfestation of cut flowers is currently methyl bromide, which will soon be unavailable in several countries. The toxicity of an alternative fumigant, phosphine (2% PH3 and 98% N2), was tested at 24°C on adult greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis), adult aphids (Myzus persicae) and lightbrown apple moth larvae (LBAM: Epiphyas postvittana). These are commonly found as insect pests on many cut flower crops. Thrips were exposed to phosphine concentrations ranging from 20-600 μl/l for 1 or 2 h. All thrips were killed within 18 h of exposure after a treatment of 300 μl/l phosphine for 2 h. Adult aphids and fifth instar LBAM larvae were more resis..