Artificial Feeding Site To Investigate Emigration of Nitidulid Beetles from Dried Fruits

Abstract

ABSTRACT Experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different treat- ments on nitidulid beetle emigration from infested dried fruits. In the search for a sensitive method for measuring emigration, an artificial feeding site was devised. Emigration from feeding sites was compared with emigration from infested fruit when treated with methyl bromide, low pressure (100 mm mercury), carbon dioxide (CO,) in air, or 2.8% oxygen (0,) in nitrogen. Emigration from fruit and artificial feeding site treated with methyl bromide, low pressure (100 mm mercury), or 2.8% 0, were significantly greater than from fruit and site treated with CO, or control. No significant differences were recorded in emigration from fruit or artificial feeding site. KEY WORDS Carpophilus spp., dried fruits, feeding site DRIED FRUITS are frequently infested with in- sect pests, and in particular with several species of nitidulid beetles. Because these beetles are both field and storage pests, infestation is a source of contamination of fruit in storage and in packing houses, and necessitates control by fu- migation of all fruit immediately after harvest (Carmi