Influence of Modified Atmospheres on Infestation of Stored Date Fruits by Ephestia cautella (Walker) and Stegobium paniceum (L)

Abstract

Treatment of nitrogen can be used as alternative method to chemical control against stored-productinsects. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of modified atmospheres (MAs) based on high nitrogen (N2) contents on infestation by immature stages of Ephestia cautella and Stegobium paniceum, major pests of date fruits, and their effect on the quality of date fruits. The tested MAs were 98% nitrogen gas (Oxygen 2%), in diverse exposure-times. The study found, the egg, larval, and pupal stages of E. cautella and S. paniceum responded significantly to MAs enriched by "N2" as exposure-time increased. Two days (48h) exposures of date fruits to nitrogen gas were adequate enough to complete suppression in adult emergence of E. cautella. While, 24 h exposure to N2 gas was enough to suppress S. paniceum. Time and pest level were an influential factor that have a massive effect on the immature mortality percent and adult emergence of E. cautella and S. paniceum after exposure to N2 gas. Furthermore, nitrogen gas did not effect on the quality of the date fruits.