Florida Entomologist (2002) 85, 524-525

R.W. Mankin (2002)
Increase in acoustic detectability of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae in stored products after electrical stimulation
Florida Entomologist 85 (3), 524-525
Abstract: P. interpunctella larvae are important pests of stored products but they are difficult to detect by nondestructive acoustic methods through several layers of packaging. In this study, electrical stimulation was considered as a potential method for increasing the activity levels of P. interpunctella larvae, thereby increasing their acoustic detectability. Individual dog biscuits containing 4th-instar larvae were treated with a large-animal electric prod and acoustically monitored. The level of activity increased temporarily by a factor >2 and the effect was greater for larvae that were initially least active. The success of these tests indicates that electrical stimulation has potential as a method of improving the reliability of nondestructive acoustic surveys of stored product insects in packaged goods.
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Database assignments for author(s): Richard W. Mankin

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plodia interpunctella		U.S.A. (SE)