Annual Research Progress Report
Report of Progress (AD-421)
Accession 0140921 Year 86 -- CRIS Work Unit; 6605-20620-061-00
Mode Code: 6605-05-03
Title: Develop Parameters for the use of CO2 and N at high ambient temps. & different Relative Humidities
Period Covered: from: 01/86 to: 12/86
Progress Report
Immature Indianmeal moth were exposed to CO2 concentrations of from 6 to 28% at 80 F. Insects exposed to 22 or 28% CO2 (balance air) for 15 days were completely controlled when examined 21 days after this exposure. Insects exposed to 17, 22 or 28% CO2 for 30 days exhibited 100% mortality after a 21 day post-exposure period. This information is significant in that it shows long term exposures to low CO2 concentrations can achieve effective control and could be used as an alternative to conventional short term exposures. Carpophilus sp. larvae were exposed to artificial rearing media at 110 degrees F. These insects were placed on the media for 18 hr. prior to exposure to CO2 concentrations of either 60, 75, 90, or 100%. A 4 hour exposure to 100% CO2 produced 100% mortality of the larvae and 89% of the insects were out of the media as compared to only 63% of those exposed to air at this elevated temperature. Mortality was not observed in these controls. A 6 hr. exposure at this temperature resulted in 100% mortality of those larvae treated with either 90 or 100% CO2. However, 100% of the larvae exposed to 100% CO2 had left the media while only 87% of those exposed to 90% CO2 had left the media prior to death. This research shows that CO2 can be an effective tool for controlling this pest of dried fruit and at the same time drive the active forms out of the fruit prior to death.
Publications
1. JAY, E.G. 1986. Factors affecting the use of Carbon Dioxide for treating raw and processed agricultural products. In Proc. GASGA conference on fumigation in developing countries. Slough, England, UK. March 1986.
Approved Ernest L. CORLEY -- Date 01/87
Title: AREA DIRECTOR