Effect of CO2 on the mortality and fecundity of Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract: High CO2 Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a sustainable alternative for
stored-product insect pest control. This study evaluated the effects on the mortality of C.
chinensis eggs and pupae, and on the fecundity of the females emerging from the surviving
individuals, of packaging chickpeas in modified atmospheres of 50 % and 90 % CO2, and with
filling ratios (proportion of grain in relation to the volume of the package) of 1 %, and 96 % full of grain. The estimated exposure time to achieve 95 % mortality (LT95) of the eggs ranged from 38 to 68 hours, while that of pupae ranged from 142 to 248 hours. The fecundity of the females emerged from surviving pupae decreased only after 48 hours of exposure to CO2.