Insecticidal and behavioral effects of granite dust byproducts

Heritage Memorials Ltd.位于新斯科舍省温莎市，是一家高品质纪念碑和纪念碑产品的制造商，主要由花岗岩组成。用于纪念制造的工业岩石切割由于石头切割过程产生了大量的岩石粉尘粉末（副产品）。**该公司的初步研究表明，这种“ai”（活性成分）有望成为有益的土壤改良剂和潜在的昆虫防治方法。**初步研究（由NSERC Engage资助）揭示了花岗岩粉尘（ai）应用的几种影响。叶面施药可直接减少某些昆虫对幼虫的伤害，并导致雌性避免产卵。此外，在水果上施用人工智能可以减少食果害虫的存活率，并抑制真菌的生长。行动模式可能是多方面的：首先，幼虫可能会主动避开物质。其次，考虑到它的结构，它的功能可能与硅藻土类似（导致水分流失）。最后，它还可能造成肠道组织损伤，抑制进食。**这个为期两年的项目的目标是：1)阐明行动模式；2)通过提高可喷涂性和耐水性来改进输送技术；3)扩大温室试验作物和害虫目标范围；4)确认零售市场的目标，包括家庭害虫（如蚂蚁）和园艺害虫；5)测试人工智能应用于非目标有益物种（如传粉昆虫）的安全性；6)整合植物活力研究，确定在土壤改良剂应用中，抗虫害是否与提高植物活力有间接联系。**这一努力将为Heritage Memorials Ltd.的产品开发和注册提供关键数据，如果这些产品商业化，将导致创新惰性岩尘粉末的市场交付，这可能为标准化学驱蚊剂提供环境安全的替代品。

Heritage Memorials Ltd., located in Windsor, Nova Scotia, is a manufacturer of high quality memorial and monument products, primarily comprised from granite. Industrial rock-cutting for memorial manufacturing generates a significant amount of rock dust powders (byproduct) as a result of the stone-cutting process. **Preliminary research by the company has shown promise for this 'ai' (active ingredient) as a beneficial soil amendment and a potential insect control method. **Preliminary research (funded by an NSERC Engage grant) has revealed several effects of granite dust (ai) application. Foliar application of ai directly reduces larval damage and results in oviposition avoidance by females in selected insect species. Furthermore, application of ai to fruit reduces survivorship of frugivorous pests, and inhibits fungal growth. The mode of action may be multifaceted: First, larvae may actively avoid material. Second, given its structure, it may function in a similar manner to diatomaceous earth (resulting in water loss). Finally, it may also cause damage within the gut tissue inhibiting feeding.**The objectives of this 2 year project will be to: 1) elucidate the mode of action; 2) improve delivery technology through improved sprayability and waterfastness; 3) expand the range of crops and pest targets in greenhouse trials; 4) validate targets for retail markets, including household insect pests (e.g. ants) and horticultural pests; 5) test the safety of ai application on non-target beneficial species (e.g. pollinators); 6) integrate studies of plant vigour to determine if pest resistance is indirectly linked to improved plant vigour in soil amendment application of ai.**This endeavor will provide critical data for product development and registration for Heritage Memorials Ltd., and if these products are commercialized, will result in market delivery of innovative inert rock dust powders, which may provide environmentally safe alternatives to standard chemical insect repellents.