Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Control of the Scale Insect Asiacornococcus kaki, a Quarantine Pest on Sweet Persimmon, Diospyros kaki: Efficacy, Phytotoxicity and Safety

Sweet persimmons are a valuable export commodity. However, the presence of live insects such as Asiacornococcus kaki limits their access to many export markets. Methyl bromide, traditionally used for pest control, is damaging to human health and the environment. Ethyl formate (EF) is a viable alternative; however, its effectiveness against A. kaki on sweet persimmon fruit is unknown. We evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation in controlling A. kaki present under the calyx of persimmon fruit. The hatching rate of eggs and the survival rates of nymphs and adults of A. kaki at low temperatures, its LCt₅₀ and LCt₉₉ after EF exposure, and phytotoxic damage caused by EF were evaluated in laboratory-scale and commercial-scale tests. The dose–response tests showed that the EF LCt₉₉ at 5 °C was 9.69, 42.13, and 126.13 g h m⁻³ for adults, nymphs, and eggs, respectively. Commercial-scale tests demonstrated EF efficacy against all A. kaki stages without causing phytotoxic effects on persimmons, though the eggs of A. kaki were not completely controlled in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-packaged fruit. This study demonstrated that EF is a potential fumigant for quarantine pretreatment, especially before persimmon fruit is packed with LLDPE film, to control A. kaki infesting sweet persimmon fruit.