Integration of Nonchemical Treatments for Control of Postharvest Pyralid Moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Almonds and Raisins

Abstract

We propose a treatment strategy combining an initial disinfestation treatment with one of three protective treatments as an alternative for chemical fumigation of almonds and raisins for control of postharvest insect populations. Initial disinfestation treatments using low oxygen controlled atmosphere (0.4% O2) were designed to disinfest product of field populations of pyralid moths; navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), in almonds and raisin moth, Cadra figulilella (Gregson), in raisins. The protective treatments were cold storage (10 degrees C), controlled atmosphere (5% O2) storage, and application of the Indianmeal moth granulosis virus, and were designed to prevent establishment of Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). The initial disinfestation treatment was effective against laboratory populations of navel orangeworm and raisin moth. Efficacy of protective treatments was determined by exposure of commodities to laboratory Indianmeal moth populations at levels far higher than those found in commercial storage facilities. All three protective treatments prevented development of damaging Indianmeal moth populations as measured by pheromone trap catches and evaluation of product samples. Quality analysis by commercial laboratories showed that overall product quality for all protective treatments was maintained at levels acceptable by industry standards.

Using a population growth model to simulate response of Plodia interpunctella Hübner to temperature and diet

“…Management of P. interpunctella in any area containing products that contained an optimal diet like wheat diet would be crucial to avoid generating huge numbers of P. interpunctella moths and product loss. Raisins were chosen for this study as a contrast to wheat diet because dried fruit products can be infested by P. interpunctella and significant damage can occur (Johnson and Vail 1989;Johnson et al 2002). With their high reproductive capacity, populations on raisins were also able to reach high levels in less than 6 months.…”

Effect of cold storage and different diets on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lep:Pyralidae)

“…Low temperature storage is useful when combined with more eYcient disinfestation techniques (Johnson et al 1997). Heat and cold treatments can be used in combination with other control methods such as modiWed atmospheres (Johnson et al 2002). Growth, development and reproduction of insects are strongly dependent on the quality and quantity of food ingested (Scriber and Slansky 1981).…”

High-Temperature Controlled Atmosphere for Post-Harvest Control of Indian Meal Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Preserved Flowers

“…Stored-product insects have been successfully controlled with low oxygen or high carbon dioxide atmospheres (Jay 1984, Hallman 1994, Johnson et al 2002. High temperature combined with high carbon dioxide is a viable alternative to methyl bromide fumigation of preserved flowers, grains, nuts, dried fruits, and other stored products.…”