In nature, many animal species commonly take "dust baths" to rid themselves of insect parasites and prevent attacks from biting insects.[1] In 2000 B.C.E., records in China describe the application of mineral-based dusts (e.g., diatomaceous earth) to plants to control insects.[2] Subsequently, various mineral-based preparations have been used, and some of these remain in use for agricultural pest control.[3]
More recently, kaolin mixed with spreaders and stickers and applied to plants as a spray at 1–6% concentration in water form has been shown to be an effective approach to agricultural pest control and to protect plants from environmental stresses. Kaolin-based sprays have been studied extensively since 1999 and research has established that these sprays deposit a "particle film" that has numerous beneficial effects on plants and in insect pest control. Certain kaolin-based sprays can form a highly reflective white film over plant surfaces that enhances plant photosynthesis and reduce heat stress in plants, which they do by reflecting the infra-red light spectrum, which in improves plant yields and fruit quality in orchards.[4][5][6] The kaolin barrier created by the particle film also protects the treated plant surfaces from diseases,[7] and insects.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
