Controlled Atmospheres for Quarantine Control of Three Pests of Table Grape

Abstract

Two controlled atmosphere treatments (45% CO 2 + 0.5% O 2 and 45% CO 2 + air [11.5% O 2 ]) significantly increased mortality of Platynota stultana Walsingham; Pacific spider mites, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor; and western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. The small difference in response of arthropods to the 2 controlled atmosphere treatments indicated greater response to 45% CO 2 + 11.5% O 2 . Temperature (0 and 5°C) had a significant effect on arthropod mortality (i.e., arthropods treated at 0°C showed greater mortality). We detected no effects of exposure to the controlled atmosphere treatments for 10 or 15 d at 0°C on the table grapes. Treatment with 45% CO 2 + 11.5% O 2 at 0°C appeared to be the best method for disinfestation of table grapes of these 3 pests.