Post-harvest disinfestation of apples of the light-brown apple moth Epiphyas postvittana

Abstract

A range of dosages of methyl bromide used according to different chamber and fru:. I+ temperatures, preceded, unaccompanied or followed by cold treatment was found effective in disinfesting apples of the light-brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), in Tasmania, 1972-1 974. Fumigations were in 1.1 m3 and 14.3 m3 chambers, for 2 or 2+hours, loaded to 40 or 80 per cent of their capacities, and cold storage was for 21 days at 0°C. The disinfestation treatments were tested on apples artificially infested with neonate and fourth instar larvae and on a field line of naturally infested fruit; the onset of fumigation effects on fourth instar larvae in artificial medium was also determined.