Journal of Economic Entomology (2021) 114, 1380-1388

Abena F. Ocran, George P. Opit, Bruce H. Noden, Frank H. Arthur and Bradford M. Kard (2021)
Effects of dehumidification on the survivorship of four psocid species
Journal of Economic Entomology 114 (3), 1380-1388
Abstract: Psocids are damaging stored-product pests. In this study, eggs and early-instar nymphs, adults, and all life stages of Liposcelis entomophila, L. decolor, L. bostrychophila, and L. paeta were subjected to 43, 50, or 75% (Control) relative humidity (RH) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 d at 30.0°C. All adults of these species died within 8 d at both 43 and 50% RH, except for L. bostrychophila, which required 12 d at 50% RH for 100% mortality to occur. For all life stages and eggs and early-instar nymphs, maximum survival times (times to 100% mortality) at 43 or 50% RH for L. entomophila, L. decolor, L. bostrychophila, and L. paeta, were 8 and 10 d, 8 and 12 d, 12 and 14 d, and 12 and 16 d, respectively. During this study, numbers of nymphs and adults of all species 14 d after the RH treatments increased within the 75% RH Control arenas. Different species and life stages responded differently to 43 and 50% RH, as time to kill all stages of the four psocid species was 8–12 and 10–16 d, respectively. Results indicate that using a specific RH environment may be effective in psocid management.
(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 P. Opit, Frank H. Arthur

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Liposcelis paeta
	Liposcelis bostrychophila
	Liposcelis entomophila
	Liposcelis decolor