Management of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with Phosphine Fumigation in Relation to Packaging Materials and Food Types

Management of Tribolium castaneum was studied in relation to packaging materials and food types with phosphine fumigation. Penetration ability of the beetles was checked for three packaging types' viz., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinylchloride (PVC). Out of the 3 packaging materials PE was a susceptible packaging as compared to the other two types. The efficacy of phosphine was tested against T. castaneumin four commodities viz., wheat, rice, whole-wheat flour and semolina, which were packed in four different packaging types namely PE, PVC, PP and jute bags. Experiments were conducted to check the comparative mortality of T. castaneum with phosphine fumigation as affected by the above two factors. Efficacy of phosphine was evaluated at 1.5 g/m 3 dose measured after 2 and 4 days exposure period. Maximum mean mortality was generated after 4 days of treatment than after 2 day exposure period. This was irrespective of the other two factors i.e. packaging material and food types. The data are extremely useful for the management of T. castaneum with phosphine fumigation while using tin type storage containers.