Assessment of the influence of magnetic fields on aspects of the biology of the adult Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

All living systems are under the influence of magnetic fields (MFs) from various sources. In this study, experiments were performed to investigate the effect of MFs from a DC power supply on the longevity of adults, fecundity and daily egg laying pattern of female E. kuehniella. Adults of E. kuehniella (24 h old) were exposed to power supply generating MFs of different levels (0, 1.5, 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 mT) at 50 Hz for 24 h exposure time. Mortality increased with increasing MFs level and complete mortality was achieved at the level of 10 mT. Adult viability was highest in control (92%). Pest longevity was significantly reduced with increasing level of MFs (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the longevity of males and females (P˃0.05). Exposing adults to increasing level of MFs significantly influenced daily egg laying patterns and fecundity of magnetized females. Larval emergence from these eggs was completely prevented at highest level of MFs. The LD50 and LD99 values of MFs against adult stages of E. kuehniella were measured as 5.23 mT and 12.81 mT, respectively. According to these results, 10 mT MFs for 24 h is sufficient to control adult survival and production of progeny in this pest