Journal of Economic Entomology (2005) 98, 1070-1075

George N. Mbata, Mario Johnson, Thomas W. Phillips and Mark Payton (2005)
Mortality of life stages of cowpea weevil (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) exposed to low pressure at different temperatures
Journal of Economic Entomology 98 (3), 1070-1075
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that low pressure creates a low oxygen controlled atmosphere that can kill stored-product insects. The current study was conducted to determine the mortality of life stages of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), exposed to different low pressures and temperatures for various exposure periods. The adults were the most susceptible life stage to low pressure; 99% mortality was achieved within 0.8 h at 32.5 mmHg, 30°C. The pupae were the most tolerant life stage to low pressure, requiring exposure periods between 28.98 and 153.20 h at temperatures of 20-35°C to achieve 99% mortality. Mortality increased with exposure time and also with increasing temperature in all life stages. Early stage eggs (3 h old) and late stage eggs (48 h old) experienced higher mortality (values for LT₉₉ of 42.331 and 46.652 h, respectively) compared with intermediate aged eggs (24 h old; LT₉₉ of 74.735 h) under the same conditions of low pressure and temperature. Dried beans, including cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (Walp.), are currently protected with fumigants. Application of low pressure as a pest management tool represents a potential nonchemical alternative to fumigants such as methyl bromide and phosphine for controlling the cowpea weevil and related bruchids.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): George N. Mbata, Thomas W. Phillips

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Callosobruchus maculatus