High temperature and cold storage treatments to control Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)

• Published in: Journal of stored products research 1998-04, Vol.34 (2), p.141-150
• Main Authors: Lewthwaite, S.E, Dentener, P.R, Alexander, S.M, Bennett, K.V, Rogers, D.J, MainDonald, J.H, Connolly, P.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; Pests of stored products; Plodia interpunctella, eggs, heat, cold storage, combination treatments
• ISSN: 0022-474X; 1879-1212
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-474X(97)00056-8

The temperature sensitivity of three egg ages of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) were examined at 42–48°C heat (hot water) only treatments, 0.5–11.5°C cold storage only treatments, or combination treatments of 42 or 46°C, followed by subsequent 0–10.5°C cold storage. The 1-day-old egg was typically more tolerant of heat only treatments than the 2- and 3-day-old egg. A 99% mortality of all egg ages was achieved in 10.3 hours at 42°C which reduced to 34 minutes at 48°C. This tolerance was reversed at all cold storage temperatures and mortality was achieved quicker at lower temperatures. More than 22 days at ⩾4°C were required to achieve 99% mortality of the most tolerant 3-day-old egg, which was reduced to 19.8 days at 0.5°C for all egg ages. Heat treatments decreased the overall cold storage time required to obtain 99% mortality. Following heat treatment at 42°C, the 2- and 3-day-old eggs were more tolerant to subsequent cold storage than the 1-day-old egg. At 46°C, the 1-day-old was more tolerant to subsequent cold storage regardless of temperature. Eight days at 10.5°C following 6.5 hours at 42°C, or 7.7 minutes at 46°C, resulted in 99.9% mortality of all egg ages. Heat and cold storage may be implemented as part of the manufacturing and storage process of stored products, while also providing a safe and non-chemical method for control of P. interpunctella eggs.