HOT-WATER IMMERSION FOR DISINFESTATION OF LIGHTBROWN APPLE MOTH (EPIPHYAS-POSTVITTANA) AND LONGTAILED MEALY BUG (PSEUDOCOCCUS-LONGISPINUS) ON PERSIMMONS

The mortality response of lightbrown apple moth (LBAM; Epiphyas postvi ttana Walker) and longtailed mealy bug (MB; Pseudococcus longispinus T argioni-Tozetti) on persimmons to hot-water immersion treatments betwe en 44 and 54 degrees C was examined. The calyx of the persimmon was fo und to offer thermal protection for both LBAM and MB resulting in lowe r insect mortality under the calyx compared to that on the outside of the fruit. The mean immersion time for mean 99% mortality (LT(99)) of LBAM at 44 degrees C was 32.5 min, and this time decreased with increa sing temperature to 7.4 min at 54 degrees C. MB were found to be much more tolerant to hot-water immersion than LBAM. The mean LT(99) of MB at 44 degrees C was 74.2 min, which decreased to 15.1 min at 54 degree s C. Hot-water immersion appears to be a potentially useful disinfesta tion method.