Developing new fumigation schedules for the phytosanitary treatment of New Zealand export logs comparative toxicity of two fumigants to the burnt pine longhorn beetle <i>Arhopalus ferus</i>

Abstract

Ethanedinitrile (EDN) has been identified as a possible alternative fumigant to methyl bromide (MB) as a phytosanitary treatment for New Zealand export logs A review of MB phytosanitary schedules has indicated that the treatment rates used in New Zealand may be able to be significantly reduced The toxicity of EDN was compared in the laboratory to that of reduced rates of MB using different life stages of the burnt pine longhorn beetle Arhopalus ferus Naked insects were fumigated with MB at 10C and 20C for 4 h or with EDN at the same temperatures for 3 h The mortalities achieved and the CT products calculated indicate that (1) a reduction in MB usage may be possible for the treatment of logs exported from New Zealand and that (2) EDN has potential as a phytosanitary alternative to MB for the treatment of logs