Phytoparasitica (1996) 24, p. 233 (Ulrichs et al.)

Ch. Ulrichs, Ch. Reichmuth and W. Raemann (1996)
Carbon dioxide under high pressure to control the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne
Phytoparasitica 24 (3), 233-233
International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation (CAF) in Stored Products, April 21-26, 1996, Nicosia, Cyprus, lecture
Abstract: Pressurized carbon dioxide is able to control most of all important insect and mite pests within a few hours. A quick increase of pressure from a few to 20 bars and a subsequent decrease to atmospheric pressure within a few minutes reduces the lethal exposure time to less than 1 h. This short treatment time renders the method attractive for pest control and especially feasible with high value products such as medicinal products of plant origin, spices, herbs, teas, tobacco, cocoa, beans and nuts. Pressure-tight chambers of up to 30 m³ capacity are in use for short-exposure pest control, with a carbon dioxide recapture apparatus to reduce gas emission. The lethal effect seems to consist of a combination of increased solution of CO₂ in the insect tissues leading to reduction in pH or increase in acidity, as well as rupture of cell membranes following depressurization. The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne, causes severe losses in the tobacco processing industry; laboratory and practical results were presented describing the possibility of controlling this pest at various pressures of CO₂ at different temperatures.
Database assignments for author(s): Christian Ulrichs

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lasioderma serricorne	Stored tobacco