Respiration of Stored Product Pests in Hermetic Conditions
M. EMEKCI,1* S. NAVARRO,² J.E. DONAHAYE,² MIRIAM RINDNER,² AND A. AZRIELI,²
¹Dept. of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ankara, 06110, Ankara, Turkey [e-mail: emekci@.agri.ankara.edu.tr]
²Dept. of Stored Products, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet- Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract: Hermetic storage for the preservation of durables has been proven as an effective storage method. This method aims at taking advantage of interference with respiratory metabolism of the insects and minimizes their damage to the commodity. Tribolium castaneum, at its four developmental stages, was exposed to atmospheres containing 1 to 21% O₂ that may be experienced under airtight conditions. All tests were carried out at 30ºC and 70% r.h. Results showed that an initial acclimatization period of at least 5 h was required before each test to enable the insects to stabilize their response to the different CO₂ concentrations. At normal oxygen level, egg respiration was lower than that of other stages and young larvae had the highest respiration rate. For pre-adult stages at reduced oxygen levels respiration rates were proportional to the oxygen levels. However, adult respiration, was higher at 3 and 5% O₂ than at normal atmospheric air.
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