COLD TOLERANCE OF TINEOLA-BISSELLIELLA (LEPIDOPTERA, TINEIDAE) EGGS AT SLOW COOLING RATE

Eggs of T. bisselliella were exposed to sub-zero temperatures at a cooling rate of 2-degrees-C/h to a minimum of -20-degrees-C. Observed mortality was closely approximated by predictions based on an adapted fixed temperature model. The eggs showed no acclimation during cooling. In combination with thermal conductivity models the mortality model provides a simple method to predict exposure times required to reach the desired level of mortality in the cold disinfestation treatment of a commodity or item. With large items, minimum dimension 50 cm, it is predicted that disinfestation will be achieved before the centre has reached -20-degrees-C.