Susceptibility of stored product moth eggs of different age towards fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride – a review

Eggs of insects require much higher dosages for pest control with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) than any other developmental stage. On the other hand, this fumigant is the most important gas replacing the phased out methyl bromide for control of insect pests in food processing premises. The pyralid moths Ephestia kuehniella, E. elutella, Cadra (Ephestia) cautella, Corcyra cephalonica and Plodia interpunctella are among the economically most significant pests in storage. In large mills, the shut down time for fumigation has to be short due to cost reasons. Additional heating instead of increasing the SF concentration is an alternative to ensure control while minimising the treatment time. Surviving individuals, especially eggs, are not acceptable for the food and feed industry. Eggs of C. cautella were found to be most tolerant. The available literature data concerning the control of eggs of different pest moths with SF is reviewed. A comparison of efficacies towards eggs of different age is carried out. Following the results as presented, will ensure effective fumigation with SF and complete kill of the moths.