COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF INSECT CONTROL BY NITROGEN, ARGON AND CARBON-DIOXIDE IN MUSEUM, ARCHIVE AND HERBARIUM COLLECTIONS

An investigation of insect control using non-toxic methods was carried out in museums, archives and herbaria in different climatic regions. The efficacy of using modified atmospheres including nitrogen, argon a nd carbon dioxide to eliminate insect families was evaluated. Analyses were performed on eight different species, and all their development stages, in the families Cerambicidae, Anobiidae, Dermestidae and Lycti dae in the Coleoptera. The modified atmospheres were used in several t reatment systems, i.e. plastic bags of low permeability, a fumigation vacuum chamber and a fumigation bubble, and the most appropriate condi tions for disinfestation of ancient objects were assessed. An argon at mosphere achieved the best results for insect elimination with a short exposure time. Different species of Coleoptera were found to be resis tant to carbon dioxide. From this study, a model of insect control was used in situ for art and historical collections.