The Powers of Survival of Storage and Domestic Pests under Winter Conditions in Britain

Abstract

In order to test their ability to survive the winter in unheated buildings, 68 species of storage and domestic insect pests were exposed throughout one or more winters in wooden screens and various outbuildings at the Pest Infestation Laboratory, Slough, Bucks.Generally, cultures containing all developmental stages were exposed. The chief aim was to demonstrate some survival or else the complete failure of the culture; conclusionsabout single stages were added where possible.The ability or failure of a species to overwinter may be affected by the following factors, which are discussed: cold-hardiness, effects of previous conditions, differences between strains or races within a species, severity of the winter, length of period of exposure, moisture conditions, type of building, protection by materials in storage, biological heating of the immediate environment.The shortest experiment lasted 16 days, the majority for about six months.