Postharvest Control of Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and California Red Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) With Ethyl Formate and Its Impact on Citrus Fruit Quality

Abstract

The postharvest control of arthropod pests is a challenge that the California citrus industry must overcome when exporting fruit overseas. Currently, methyl bromide fumigation is used to control postharvest pests on exported citrus, but it may soon be unavailable because of use restrictions and cost of this health-hazard ozone-depleting chemical. Ethyl formate is a natural plant volatile and possible alternative to methyl bromide in postharvest insect control. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the mortality of third instar California red scale [Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)] (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and adult western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)] (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under a wide range of ethyl formate concentrations, 2) to determine the ethyl formate concentration required to reach a Probit 9 level of control for both pests, and 3) to test the effects of ethyl formate fumigation on the quality of navel oranges [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and lemons [Citrus limon (L.) Burman f.] at 24 h after fumigation, and at different time periods to simulate shipping plus storage (5 wk at 5 degrees C), and shipping, storage, handling, and shelf-life (5 wk at 5 degrees C, plus 5 d at 15 degrees C, and 2 d at 20 degrees C). The results indicate that ethyl formate is a promising alternative to methyl bromide for the California citrus industry, because of successful control of adult western flower thips and third instar California red scale and no deleterious effect on fruit quality at any of the evaluated periods and quality parameters.

Tuning the Composition of Electrodeposited Bimetallic Tin–Lead Catalysts for Enhanced Activity and Durability in Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Formate

“…Electrolyte samples (0.4 mL) were taken from the cathode compartment every 20 min during 2 h of electroreduction for a total of seven samples per run. The formate concentration of the samples was determined by using a Megazyme enzyme based spectroscopic kit (K‐Form) . The absorbance of each sample was determined at λ =340 nm by using a Shimadzu UV‐2450.…”

Potential use of ethyl formate treatment to control surface pests of "Hass" avocado fruit

“…Ethyl formate is commercially available in New Zealand in combination with CO 2 as VAPORMATE™. Ethyl formate combined with CO 2 has been reported to control many pest species De Lima 2009, 2010Griffin et al 2013;Jamieson et al 2013Jamieson et al , 2014Jamieson et al , 2015Jamieson et al , 2016Pupin et al 2013;Simpson et al 2004Simpson et al , 2007van Epenhuijsen et al 2007).…”

Modified Atmosphere for Thrip Disinsection on Cut Lotus Flowers

“…However, some shipments of lotus flowers have been rejected over the past few years because of the presence of thrips on lotus flowers. Fumigation has been the primary method of postharvest disinfection for insect pests of cut flowers and agricultural products to meet export requirements (Pupin et al, 2013;Williams and Muhunthan, 1998). At present, methyl bromide is the main method which exporters use for insect disinfestation of cut flowers prior to export.…”