Biocidal efficacy of nitrogen (anoxic atmosphere) applied in operational condition to stored hazelnuts against pest insects at different stages of development

Recently, a test was conducted in Italy for the evaluation of the biocidal efficacy of Nitrogen saturation (anoxic conditions). One application was carried out in a controlled atmosphere cell of a logistic center specialized in receiving, storing and shipping foodstuffs. The cell, circa 3682 m3 volume, with capacity of 752 big bags of fresh shelled hazelnuts on 4 height levels was saturated with Nitrogen (99,9%) and maintained at 15-18°C for 21 days. Five test species of insects Plodia interpunctella, Cadra cautella, Corcyra cephalonica, Tribolium confusum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis were observed at different development stages (egg, larva, adult). The target species were sorted in special biotest and inserted in the big bags to simulate an infestation. At the end of the exposure period the biotests were collected and analyzed. The treatment resulted sufficient to achieve a total control on eggs of Lepidoptera test species only. This result confirmed and integrates the available information in literature that showed the need of a longer minimum exposure period for total control of common stored pest insects.