Question

What type of insects are mineral oils most effective against?

• A. Hard-bodied insects
• B. Soft-bodied insects like aphids
• C. Insects in storage
• D. Insects that feed on plants

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Soft-bodied insects like aphids

• Physical poison - The pesticide or toxicant will not react chemically but kill the insect either by asphyxiation or desiccation.

• Mineral oil closes the spiracles and causes asphyxiation. So mineral oil is used for soft bodied insects like aphids.

• Activated clay exerts a physical effect on wax monolayer and create spaces so that depletion of moisture in insect cell occurs. Activated clay is used in storage pest management.

• Eg: Mineral oil, Inert dusts - Ash, silicagel, activated clay.