The effect of microwave on different stages of fig moth, Ephestia cautella )Walk) Lepidoptera:Pyralidae ) in stored date)

Abstract

Eggs, larvae, pupa and adults of date moth Ephestia cautella were exposed to three levels of
microwave power 600, 800 and 1000 W at different exposure time (0,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 and 20
second). The results showed that microwave had high ability to kill different stages of fig moth. The
effect increased by increasing of microwaves power and exposure time. The percentage of egg
mortality was %100 at 600 and 800 W, and exposure time. Similarly, egg mortality was also
increased at 1000 W in less than 12 sec. The highest motility of larvae was %90 at 600 W and
%96.67 at 800 W, when the exposure time was 10 sec., while, the mortality was %100 at 1000 W and
18 sec. male and female pupal mortality rates was %100 at 800 W, when the exposure times were 20
and 18 sec., respectively. The ranges of lethal time of %50 and %95 ( LT 50 , LT 95 ) at 600-1000 W
were 501-9.9 and 15.7 – 34.2 , 3.0-7.5 and 9.0-50.0and 3.2-4.8 and 7.9-39.1 for egg , larvae and
pupae, respectively. However, the results showed that all adult treatments significantly affected age
average and emergence of adult male and female. The age of emerged males and females did not
exceeded 4.267 and 5.267 days respectively, at 600 W and 6 sec. exposure. While, adult emergence
stopped at 800 W and 14 and 16 sec. for male and female pupae respectively. The results of this
investigation indicated the affectivity of using microwaves technique and further research efforts is
needed before the feasibility microwave technique can be evaluated as alternative in stored dates
chemical method using Methyl Bromide.