Effect of “soft-electron” (low-energy electron) treatment on three stored-product insect pests

Developmental stages of three stored-product insect pests viz. Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) were exposed to “soft electrons”, low-energy electrons. Soft electrons at an acceleration voltage of 170 kV effectively inactivated eggs, larvae and pupae of T. castaneum and P. interpunctella. The adults of T. castaneum and P. interpunctella were inactivated by treatment for 10 min (4.8 kGy) and 15 min (7.2 kGy), respectively. Soft electrons at 170 kV also inactivated the eggs of C. chinensis effectively. The adults of C. chinensis survived a 15 min exposure (7.2 kGy), but were inactivated having lost the ability to walk after a 5 min exposure (2.4 kGy). Soft electrons at 170 kV could not completely inactivate the larvae of C. chinensis inside beans, because the electrons with low penetration did not reach the larvae due to the shield of beans. The movement of T. castaneum larvae exposed to soft electrons was sluggish for several days, and then the larvae died with their hindguts emerged from their posterior ends 17 days after the treatment. DNA comet assay of cells of P. interpunctella larvae indicated that soft electrons at 170 kV damaged DNA in the larvae.     

Pathogenicity of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes to some major stored-product insect pests

Entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) are commonly used biological control agents of insects in cryptic habitats, but their potential for suppressing stored-product insects in these habitats has not been explored previously. Here, we provide data from the first step in a program to evaluate entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Steinernema as biological control agents of stored-product pests by determining their pathogenicity to some of the major stored-product pest species. When evaluated against larvae, pupae and adults of six pest species (Plodia interpunctella, Ephestia kuehniella, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium castaneum, and Trogoderma variabile), and the adults of two additional pest species (Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica), Steinernema riobrave was either the most pathogenic or of similar pathogenicity compared to S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae. A dose of 10 infective juveniles of S. riobrave caused 80% or higher mortality against larvae of P. interpunctella, E. kuehniella, T. castaneum, and O. surinamensis, pupae of T. castaneum and T. molitor, and adults of T. molitor and the two moth species. All stages of Trogoderma variabile exhibited 70% or higher mortality. Adults of S. oryzae and R. dominica exhibited low susceptibility with 15% and 35% mortality, respectively. On the basis of these results, S. riobrave was selected for further evaluation under more field-like conditions.     

Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from three Thai plants (Zingiberaceae) and their major compounds against Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum and two parasitoids

Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera, Zingiber zerumbet, Curcuma zedoaria and their major compounds; camphene, camphor, 1,8-cineole, α-humulene, isoborneol, α-pinene, β-pinene and terpinen-4-ol was investigated with adults of Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum, Anisopteromalus calandrae and Trichogramma deion larvae. The last two insects are parasitoids commonly used to control stored-product weevils and moths. The trial was evaluated at 0, 37, 74, 148, 296, 444, 593 μL/L in air after 12, 24 and 48 h for S. zeamais, T. castaneum and A. calandrae, and 24 h for T. deion. Alpinia conchigera oils were toxic to S. zeamais, T. castaneum and T. deion, while the other two plant oils had low toxicity. Adults of S. zeamais and T. castaneum were more susceptible to A. conchigera oils than their eggs, larvae or pupae. Sitophilus zeamais adults (LC₅₀ 85 μL/L in air) were slightly more tolerant of A. conchigera oils than T. castaneum (LC₅₀ 73 μL/L in air) after 48 h exposure. Synthetic essential oils, a mixture of pure compounds in the same ratios of the extracted essential oils, were tested with S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults. Synthetic essential oils were more toxic than the extracted essential oils to both insects. Zingiber zerumbet oils (LC₅₀ 26 μL/L in air) and C. zedoaria oils (LC₅₀ 25 μL/L in air) were significantly more toxic to adults of A. calandrae than A. conchigera oils (LC₅₀ 37 μL/L in air) whereas T. deion larvae were more sensitive to A. conchigera oils (LC₅₀ 62 μL/L in air) than Z. zerumbet and C. zedoaria oils (LC₅₀ > 593 μL/L in air). Tribolium castaneum was more susceptible than S. zeamais to the eight pure compounds. Terpinen-4-ol was highly toxic to both insects.     

Tribolium castaneum progeny production and development on diets supplemented with eggs or adults of Plodia interpunctella

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) progeny production and rate of development on cracked corn (substandard diet) increased after dead eggs or adults of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) were added to the diet. This finding suggests that dietary supplementation with P. interpunctella eggs or adults could lead to a population buildup of T. castaneum and a population reduction of P. interpunctella when the two species occur together in nature on a diet that is substandard for T. castaneum.     

Investigation of fumigant efficacy in flour mills under real-world fumigation conditions

Fumigation experiments under laboratory conditions are common but due to a number of factors, fumigation experiments under real-world conditions are difficult and rare. This study was aimed at providing an insight into efficacy evaluations of fumigants based on insect mortality data under real-world conditions. A total of eight sulfuryl fluoride (SF) and three methyl bromide (MB) fumigations were performed in four different flour mills in the Midwestern United States. Bioassays were undertaken with all insect life stages (i.e., eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) placed inside fumigated structures. In addition, in most of the fumigations, environmental conditions (e.g., prevailing wind, temperature, and relative humidity) and gas concentrations were monitored. Complete mortality was obtained for the adults and larvae of both insect species, and for the pupae of P. interpunctella. Some T. castaneum pupae survived in all three MB fumigations and in one SF fumigation. In addition, some exposed eggs were able to reach the adult stage in one MB and four SF fumigations. The methodology and procedures presented can be used in future field studies of fumigant efficacy.     

Development of anti-insect multilayered films for brown rice packaging that prevent Plodia interpunctella infestation

The aim of this study was to develop a multilayered insect-proof film that prevents contamination with Plodia interpunctella (Hübner; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) insect larvae. The anti-insect activities of five essential oils (EOs), allyl disulfide (AD), and allyl mercaptan isolated from garlic and onion, respectively, were evaluated. Subsequently, fumigation insecticidal assays were performed to identify the anti-insect agents, their optimal concentrations. Garlic, onion EOs and their compounds were chosen as efficient anti-insect agents for application to rice flour-based multilayered plastic films. Penetration tests were then used to evaluate the ability of multilayered films to resist invasion by P. interpunctella larvae. Films containing 5% AD (AD-5) had the strongest resistance to penetration by insects. Thus, AD-5 was applied to brown rice packaging to measure protection from insects and to assess sensory properties. In these analyses, AD-5 showed insect-proofing effects and no undesirable changes to the sensory properties of the rice after cooking. Hence, this novel multilayer film could be used as an active packaging material with effective anti-insect activities and desirable physical properties.     

Effects of azadirachtin on post-embryonic development, energy reserves and α-amylase activity of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The effects of azadirachtin on the fourth instar larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera) were investigated. When incorporated into the diet at 2 and 4 ppm, azadirachtin provoked larval weight loss, developmental delay and high larval and pupal mortality. Spectrophotometric assays showed that azadirachtin caused a severe reduction in protein, glycogen and lipid contents 7 days after the beginning of the treatment. In addition, α-amylase activity was reduced in larvaefed azadirachtin.     

Potential of some volatile oils in protecting packages of irradiated wheat flour against Ephestia kuehniella and Tribolium castaneum

Six essential oils of Citrus reticulate (mandarin peel), Pimpinella anisum (anise), Anethum graveolens (dill), Allium sativum (garlic), Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Zingiber officinale (ginger), were evaluated for fumigant toxicity against Ephestia kuehniella and Tribolium castaneum and for contact toxicity against larvae of both species. The major compounds in these volatile oils were identified using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. Both O. basilicum and Z. officinale oils gave 100% mortality within 24 h with doses of 32 μl/l air for E. kuehniella adults, and 128 μl/l air for T. castaneum adults. The oil of A. graveolens was the most effective against larvae of both species; treated filter papers giving 100% mortality of T. castaneum and E. kuehniella larvae with exposure periods of 24 h and 96 h, respectively. The persistence of toxicity of the six tested oils varied according to their chemical components with A. graveolens and O. basilicum proving the most persistent, and C. reticulate and P. anisum the least. The possible use of the oils applied as a 30% aqueous solution for protection of wheat flour irradiated with gamma radiation (1.5 KGy) from infestation by the test insect species during a 60-day storage period in damour and gunny plastic pouches was investigated. The effect of these oils on acetylcholinesterase activity also was examined to explore their possible mode of toxic action. Dill oil was the most active against E. kuehniella larvae while ginger oil had the greatest depressive action against T. castaneum larvae.     

Residual efficacy of synergized pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol against larvae of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Wheat flour and different packaging surfaces (cardboard, flour bag, muslin bag, paper bag, pallet wrap, plastic overwrap, polyethylene) were exposed to aerosol formulations of either 1% active ingredient (AI) pyrethrin (synergized with piperonyl butoxide)+ 33.6% (AI) methoprene or 3% (AI) pyrethrin + 33.6% AI methoprene. The mixture was formulated as specified on the insecticide labels to give a 100 to 1 ratio of active ingredient pyrethrin to methoprene. Residual bioassays were conducted every two weeks for 16 weeks post-exposure to the aerosol by placing four-week-old larvae of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), or the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (Jacqueline duVal), on treated flour or a treated packaging surface with untreated flour added. T. castaneum was clearly the more susceptible of the two species. Less than 2% of T. castaneum larvae exposed to aerosol-treated flour or packaging surfaces emerged as normal adults, regardless of the pyrethrin concentration. Most of the T. castaneum larvae on treated flour did not advance to the pupal stage because they were either developmentally arrested or died as larvae. They were able to develop further on the treated packaging surfaces, but still could not emerge as adults. T. confusum larvae exposed to aerosol-treated flour or packaging surfaces were able to develop to the pupal or adult stage. Emergence of normal-appearing adults from T. confusum larvae exposed on the packaging surfaces treated with 1% pyrethrin + methoprene gradually increased (range of 29.7 ± 2.9 to 49.0 ± 6.7%, depending on the surface), whereas adult emergence of larvae exposed to treated flour peaked at 10 weeks post-exposure. However, when T. confusum was exposed to 3% pyrethrin + methoprene treated flour or packaging surfaces, adult emergence was reduced. Overall there were few significant differences attributable to the individual packaging surfaces.     

Repellent and fumigant activity of essential oil from Artemisia vulgaris to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Repellent and fumigant activity of the essential oil of mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, against the stored-product insect pest, Tribolium castaneum was investigated. Artemisia vulgaris oil had a very strong repellent activity to adults and was significantly repellent at a 0.6 μL/mL (v/v) and higher in a filter-paper arena test. The oil had high fumigant activity against adults and larvae with adults much more susceptible than larvae. At 8.0 μL/mL, mortality of adults reached 100%, but with 12-, 14- and 16-day larvae, mortalities were 49%, 53% and 52%, respectively. The oil also had high-fumigant activity against eggs and toxicity progressively increased with increased exposure time and concentration. At dosages of 10, 15 and 20 μL/L air and a 96 h exposure period, mortality reached 100%. Regression analysis of data on individuals fumigated in the larval stage confirmed that the percentage of larvae reaching the pupal stage and the percentage of pupae that reached the adult stage, decreased significantly with increase in dosage concentration. No larvae, pupae and adults were observed following a 60 μL/L dosage.     

Low-temperature aeration to control Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), in stored grain in twelve locations in the United States: a simulation study

Aeration management strategies were developed to control cold-acclimated and diapausing Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), larvae in grain bins during winter in north- and east-central regions of the US. The application in this study focuses on corn because it is the dominant crop in these regions, but we believe that the analyses can be applied to other grains as well. Contour maps for hours below −10 °C for the months of December, January, and February were developed to help effective planning and management of aeration to control overwintering stored-grain insects. Two cumulative lethality index (CLI) models were developed to estimate mortality of laboratory-reared (diapausing without cold-acclimation) and field-collected (cold-acclimated, and diapausing with cold-acclimation) P. interpunctella larvae under changing temperature conditions. The CLI models were used for evaluating aeration management strategies. Simulation studies were conducted using 30 years of weather data for 12 locations in north- and east-central regions of the US to evaluate different aeration management strategies for controlling P. interpunctella larvae. For each strategy, temperatures of headspace air and grain in the top meter of the grain mass were simulated using an existing model for the period of December-February. The tested management strategies included no aeration, continuous aeration, and intermittent aeration by controlling fan operation. During aeration, air was pulled from the headspace downward through the grain with an airflow rate of 0.11 m³/min-t (0.1 cfm/bu). Simulation results indicated that a fan control strategy that turned the aeration fan on when the grain temperature at 0.4-m depth was greater than the headspace-air temperature was the best strategy for managing P. interpunctella larvae in all tested locations. For this strategy, the CLI model indicated that 100% mortality of P. interpunctella larvae could be achieved at a grain depth of 0.4 m from the top grain surface in all locations. For this strategy, the aeration fan operated about 10% of the time from December to February. The average cost of electrical energy required for aeration fan operation with this strategy for all locations was 1.3 ¢/t (0.033 ¢/bu) based on an electrical energy cost of 7 ¢/kWh.     

Susceptibility of stored product insects to high concentrations of ozone at different exposure intervals

Ozone is a highly reactive gas with insecticidal activity. Past studies have indicated that ozone technology has potential as a management tool to control insect pests in bulk grain storage facilities. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of short periods of exposure to high ozone concentrations to kill all life stages of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), adult maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.)) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and adult rice weevil (S. oryzae (L)) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Insects were treated with six ozone concentrations between 50 and 1800 ppm. The specific objective was to determine minimal time needed to attain 100% mortality. The most ozone-tolerant stages of T. castaneum were pupae and eggs, which required a treatment of 180 min at 1800 ppm ozone to reach 100% mortality. Eggs of P. interpunctella also required 180 min at 1800 ppm ozone to reach 100% mortality. Ozone treatments of 1800 ppm for 120 min and 1800 ppm for 60 min were required to kill all adult S. zeamais and adult S. oryzae, respectively. The results indicate that high ozone concentrations reduce the treatment times significantly over previously described results. Our results also provide new baseline information about insect tolerance to ozone treatment.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on fourth-instar Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Effects of gamma irradiation on fourth-instar Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae in infested dates (Boufeggous variety) were assessed. Larvae were exposed to different gamma irradiation doses ranging from 300 to 900 Gy. Feeding, pupation, adult emergence and survival were very sensitive to ionizing irradiation. When irradiated at a dose of 300 Gy and higher, food consumption and weight gain were significantly affected, in a dose-dependent manner. Twenty days after irradiation, the weight loss at doses of 300, 450 and 600 Gy was 42%, 47% and 49%, respectively. At doses of 750 and 900 Gy, the weight of larvae diminished by 51% and 54%, respectively. In contrast, the controls gained 20% in weight. Development of larvae to the pupal stage was not prevented completely but none of the pupae emerged as adults. At 300 Gy, 21% of larvae survived 44 d after irradiation and successfully pupated. An absorbed dose of 450, 600, 750 or 900 Gy applied to larvae caused 100% mortality by 44, 38, 38 and 22 d post-treatment, respectively. The minimum dose required to prevent damage from feeding and adult emergence was 300 Gy while doses required to cause death were ?450 Gy.     

Development of anti-insect food packaging film containing a polyvinyl alcohol and cinnamon oil emulsion at a pilot plant scale

Anti-insect packaging films containing cinnamon oil (CO) encapsulated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for repelling Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) larvae were manufactured using pilot plant scale instruments. The microcapsule emulsion of CO and PVA was printed onto polypropylene (PP) film as an ink mixture using the gravure printing method. The printed PP film was then laminated with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film to protect the printed side. Four types of multilayer films were produced: control film, 2% CO film, encapsulated 1% CO film, and encapsulated 2% CO film. When mechanical properties were assessed, tensile strength and elongation-at-break were not significantly different among films, whereas the Young's modulus values were different between the control film and the three types of CO-containing films. In a repellent test, 2% CO film repelled P. interpunctella larvae most effectively. For sensory evaluation, which was performed using milk chocolate, caramel soft candy, and cookies packaged with the produced films, the produced films did not affect the sensory characteristics. Therefore, the films printed with emulsions of CO and PVA could be applied in the food industry to help protect foods from infestation by P. interpunctella.     

Fumigant properties of physical preparations from mountain big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) beetle for stored grain insects

Vapors released from foliage of mountain big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle, through a patented process, were hypothesized to have an insecticidal time of action (24 h or less after time of exposure) similar to the fumigant methyl bromide. Patented preparations were more effective from plants harvested from a relatively wet site in mid to late summer (5 July to 11 September). Bioassays with the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), 0–3 days after adult emergence indicated an LT₅₀ of 7.0±1.2 h for the volatiles generated from only 30 mg dry processed plant material (=0.56 mg active ingredients) per ml headspace. Hatching of eggs of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), was completely suppressed when exposed 4–20 h after oviposition to a concentration of 7 mg processed plant material per ml headspace (=0.14 mg active ingredients) in a container that allowed passive diffusion and from which the terpenes disappeared by 48 h. Adult red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), had an LT₅₀ of 40.7±1.2 h when exposed to 29 mg processed plant material per ml headspace. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses of the headspace above this processed plant material revealed five major peaks, all non-chlorinated and non-brominated. The two main volatiles, 1,8-cineole and camphor, occurred initially in a mean ratio of 1:3.2, gradually shifting to 1:2.4 over 24 h. The μg/ml headspace of each detectable compound in a sealed container was followed intensely (0.25, 1, 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h) for 72 h and at less frequent intervals for 60 days. The active compounds released by the plant material in a closed, but not airtight container, were no longer detectable after 24 h based on GC/MS analysis. Fumigative studies with the same ratio of the two main compounds generated synthetically indicated that embryos of P. interpunctella and adults of R. dominica were as sensitive to the synthetic mixture as they were to the processed plant material. Although one could apply the precise commercial terpenes in the same ratio, the plant material provides a natural formulation that is conveniently diluted (formulated) to levels safe for handling. Therefore, this preparation method and plant material shows good potential as an alternative to methyl bromide for protection of stored grain, commodity, and space fumigations. No residues are detectable in the headspace of aerated commodity, milled product, or in fumigated space.     

Biology and management of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored products

Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), the Indian meal moth, is a world-wide insect pest of stored-products and processed food commodities. It can infest a variety of products and is perhaps the most economically important insect pest of processed food. In this review, we summarize the biology of P. interpunctella, discuss oviposition and development in relation to temperature, environment and food source, examine studies involving sampling and detection, describe various aspects of integrated control, summarize the current knowledge regarding management of P. interpunctella, and address potential areas for new research. The use of reduced-risk insecticides, non-chemical control, targeted pest management through spatial analysis and other means of identifying specific locations of infestations, and computer models that simulate population growth, are examples of some of those new areas of research.     

Effects of different food commodities on larval development and α-amylase activity of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The present work was undertaken to study the influence of four commodities (wheat flour, dates, sorghum and barley) on Plodia interpunctella post-embryonic development. Larval weight, larval mortality, pupation and adult emergence were recorded. The study also aimed to find out the effect of these commodities on protein and glycogen production as well as on α-amylase activity. Results indicated that the weight of fourth instar larvae placed on dates increased gradually. Percentage mortality was low. Pupation and adult emergence were delayed. In contrast, the weight of larvae placed on wheat flour, sorghum or barley remained low. Pupation and adult emergence occurred sooner than among those placed on dates and the percentage mortality was highest for larvae placed on barley. Results also showed that protein content and α-amylase activity were lower for larvae placed on dates than for those placed on other commodities. The biochemical composition of different commodities showed that dates are a rich source of glucose, while their protein and starch contents were very low as compared to the other commodities. In contrast, wheat flour, sorghum and barley contained large amounts of starch and protein and low amounts of glucose. Thus, the reduction in α-amylase activity was probably due to the high levels of glucose in dates.     

Mass rearing of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on larvae of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): effects of host density, parasitoid density, and rearing containers

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a larval ecto-parasitoid of several species of Lepidoptera in the family Pyralidae including the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and other pyralid pests of post-harvest commodities and finished food products worldwide. Rearing methods for H. hebetor were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments designed to develop a mass rearing procedure for H. hebetor as a biological control agent against P. interpunctella and other stored products pyralid moths. The effects of parasitoid density, host density and the size of the rearing containers on adult progeny production and secondary sex ratio of H. hebetor were tested. In parasitoid density experiments, a density of eight male–female pairs of H. hebetor produced a higher number of progeny (188 adults) on 50 last-instar P. interpunctella larvae than the densities of one and two pairs of H. hebetor. Similarly, in a host density experiment, a density of 50 last-instar P. interpunctella larvae produced a significantly higher number of parasitoid progeny (160 adults) among the tested host densities when two pairs of H. hebetor were used. In experiments that assessed the size of the rearing containers, a glass jar with a volume of 236.6 ml (8 U.S. ounce “jelly jar”), produced a relatively higher number of parasitoid progeny (166 adults) than other sizes of containers when two pairs of H. hebetor were used. The parasitoid’s secondary sex ratio was female-biased in all experiments and there were no significant effects on sex ratio from variation in parasitoid density, host density, or size of the rearing containers.     

The effect of sub-zero temperatures on different lifestages of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) and Ephestia elutella (Hübner)

The effect of sub-zero temperatures on different lifestages of Lasioderma serricorne and Ephestia elutella was investigated as a means of disinfesting stored tobacco. Eggs, unacclimated cocoons and acclimated cocoons of L. serricorne were exposed to −10 °C, −15 °C and −20 °C in insulated boxes. There was no adult emergence from eggs or unacclimated cocoons following exposure to the respective temperatures for 4 h, 2 h and 1 h. With acclimated cocoons there was no adult emergence after 2 h at −15 °C and 1 h at −20 °C, but at −10 °C, there was adult emergence after 8, 12 and 24 h exposures.In field-scale experiments, cold acclimated fourth-instar larvae of L. serricorne were inserted into cases of leaf tobacco and boxes of finished product, put into commercial freezers and exposed to minimum temperatures of −10 °C, −18 °C or −25 °C. Critical temperatures were measured at the core of the commodity. No adults emerged from the commodity when exposed to at least −18 °C for periods ranging between 3.75 h and 39.25 h or when exposed to at least −25 °C for between 2.4 h and 3.7 h. At a minimum of −10 °C, 3 live adults emerged after 24 h exposure.With E. elutella, diapausing larvae were inserted into small scale tobacco bales and exposed to −10 °C, −13 °C, −15 °C or −20 °C. No emergence of adults and no larval survival was achieved after 21 d, 3 d and 2 h exposure at −10 °C, −15 °C and −20 °C respectively. At −13 °C, there was no adult emergence after 2 and 5 d exposure, but live larvae remained after 24 weeks incubation at 25 °C.Minimum conditions of −18 °C for 24 h and −25 °C for 4 h are recommended for the control of L. serricorne and −20 °C for 24 h for the control of E. elutella in stored tobacco (to fit with operational logistics).