Controlled atmospheres for quarantine control of three pests of table grape

Two controlled atmosphere treatments (45% CO2 + 0.5% O-2 and 45% CO2 + air [11.5% O-2]) significantly increased mortality of Platynota stultana Walsingham; Pacific spider mites, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor; and western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. The small difference in response of arthropods to the 2 controlled atmosphere treatments indicated greater response to 45% CO2 + 11.5% O-2. Temperature (0 and 5 degrees C) had a significant effect on arthropod mortality (i.e., arthropods treated at 0 degrees C showed greater mortality). We detected no effects of exposure to the controlled atmosphere treatments for 10 or 15 d at 0 degrees C on the table grapes. Treatment with 45% CO2 + 11.5% O-2 at 0 degrees C appeared to be the best method for disinfestation of table grapes of these 3 pests.