Study on the Influence of Temperature on the Mortality of Tribolium confusum J. du Val. Exposed to Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen

Abstract

In the pest control of stored products like grain and flour, treatment with gases like CO2 or nitrogen plays an increasing role, as this type of treatment leaves no residues in the food product and is less questionable than treatment with ionizing radiation. An important pest of stored grain is the beetle Tribolium confusum. T. confusum pupae, youn g and aged adults were exposed to pure nitrogen, CO2 or air at different temperatures between 38 and 46 °C. In nitrogen as well as in CO2 pupae were the most resistant. Nitrogen efficacy on adult mortality was much higher than CO2 which was higher than air. For pupae CO2 was more efficient than nitrogen or air in the range 38 - 45 °C. The temperature dependence of the sensitivity to both gases was noticeable in every stage, particularly below a given specific temperature. It was concluded that the combination controlled-atmosphere-temperature could be a valuable time saving and non aggressive technique for the stored-foods insects control.