Tanzanian strains of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Gnatocerus maxillosus (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky were confined to maize grain treated with a dilute dust of permethrin at the rates of 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 ppm active ingredient. The adult mortality and resulting F1 generation were recorded. G. maxillosus was very susceptible to the insecticide and even the lowest dose brought complete control. T. castaneum adults survived all treatments but few F1 were produced. Adult survival of s. oryzae and S. zeamais was progressively reduced by increasing dosage, although S. zeamais was much less susceptible to the treatment than S. oryzae.

The repellency of grain, treated with 3.0 ppm permethrin, to S. oryzae, S. zeamais and T. castaneum was tested in a simple choice chamber. Neither male nor female T. castaneum were repelled but significantly fewer eggs were laid on treated grain. For both Sitophilus spp there was no significant difference between the numbers of females or eggs observed on treated or untreated grain, but males were repelled from permethrin.

The importance of these results is discussed in relation to a recent recommendation that the treatment of shelled grain with 3.0 ppm permethrin should be adopted in Tanzania in order to control Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), a new and serious storage pest.