Non-chemical alternatives to methyl bromide against Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): microwave and ozone

Abstract

Multiple microwave power (MP) has been applied against Ephestia cautella (Walker) at various exposure times. Five seconds exposure time at various MP up to 60% had no effect on insect mortality, by increasing the MP up to 100%, the mortality reached 20% for larvae and 33% for adults. When exposure time was increased to 15 seconds with different MP, mortality reached 100% and 80% at 60% power for adults and larvae, respectively. Eggs of E. cautella were exposed to various MP at different time; the hatchability reached 0.0 % after 10 and 15 seconds at 100% MP. Data showed microwave had no effect on soluble proteins isolated from dates treated by microwave at various time up to 15 seconds, and had no effect on protein pattern on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Ozonation with 2.0 ppm ozone generated with various time 4, 8 and 12 hours, gave 28%, 73%, and 83% mortality against adults, while it gave 10%, 20% and 27% mortality against larvae. Ozone exhibited less effect against pupae and eggs hatchability. The possibility of using microwave and ozone in integrated management program against stored product pests is discussed.