Mortality of Lasioderma serricorne1 in a Continuously Heated Environment

Abstract

Heat treatment is a potential alternative to chemicals for controlling stored-product insect pests. During heat treatment, attaining uniform temperature across a facility is not possible because of differential heating rates. Effects of different heating rates of 0 (check), 0.5, 5, and 10°C per hour on life stages of Lasioderma serricorne were studied in a laboratory. Different heating rates killed significantly different numbers of L. serricorne life stages, with more killed with increasing exposure at 50°C. Compared to the check, significantly more L. serricorne larvae exposed to continuous heating of 28 to 50°C at 5 and 10°C per hour were killed after exposure at 50°C for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. However, L. serricorne larvae and eggs exposed to continuous heating of 28 to 50°C at 0.5more at different heating ra per hour significantly increased after exposure at 50°C for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Maintaining temperature at ≥50°C for >90 minutes in a facility killed almost all life stages of L. serricorne. Pupae were least susceptible to heat.