Chilled versus ambient aeration and fumigation of stored popcorn part 2: Pest management

Abstract

During the summer of 1994, a prototype grain chiller was tested to determine its efficacy as a pest management tool and its economic competitiveness with conventional pest management techniques. Four popcorn bins (121.5 tonnes) at a commercial facility were utilized. Two bins were managed using traditional ambient aeration and fumigation. The remaining two bins were managed with chilled aeration. Insect probe, larval, and pheromone traps were placed in each bin and monitored weekly. Significantly fewer Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) were trapped in the chilled aeration bins compared to the traditionally managed popcorn bins. Very few insect species were found in the probe traps, with the exception of hairy fungus beetles, Typhaea stercorea (L.) in July and August. Fewer beetles were found in the chilled bins when compared to the traditionally managed bins. Costs of chilled aeration (0.11 cents/kg) were competitive with the costs of conventional pest management practices (fumigation and ambient aeration) (0.096–0.17 cents/kg).