HIGH-TEMPERATURE AND COLD-STORAGE TREATMENTS TO CONTROL INDIAN MEAL MOTH, PLODIA-INTERPUNCTELLA (HUBNER)

The temperature sensitivity of three egg ages of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) were examined at 42-48 degrees C heat (hot water) only treat ments, 0.5-11.5 degrees C cold storage only treatments, or combination treatments of 42 or 46 degrees C, followed by subsequent 0-10.5 degre es C cold storage. The 1-day-old egg was typically more tolerant of he at only treatments than the 2- and 3-day-old egg. A 99% mortality of a ll egg ages was achieved in 10.3 hours at 42 degrees C which reduced t o 34 minutes at 48 degrees C, This tolerance was reversed at all cold storage temperatures and mortality was achieved quicker at lower tempe ratures. More than 22 days at greater than or equal to 4 degrees C wer e required to achieve 99% mortality of the most tolerant 3-day-old egg , which was reduced to 19.8 days at 0.5 degrees C for all egg ages. He at treatments decreased the overall cold storage time required to obta in 99% mortality. Following heat treatment at 42 degrees C, the 2- and 3-day-old eggs were more tolerant to subsequent cold storage than the 1-day-old egg. At 46 degrees C, the 1-day-old was more tolerant to su bsequent cold storage regardless of temperature, Eight days at 10.5 de grees C following 6.5 hours at 42 degrees C, or 7.7 minutes at 46 degr ees C, resulted in 99.9% mortality of all egg ages. Heat and cold stor age may be implemented as part of the manufacturing and storage proces s of stored products, while also providing a safe and non-chemical met hod for control of P. interpunctella eggs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.