Effect of microwave treatment with a new magnetron prototype on the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract: The use of microwave radiation against adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adults of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and adults and larvae of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), infesting stored wheat and maize, was investigated. Twenty individuals of each stored-product insect species/stage infesting different depths of maize and wheat were exposed from 5 to 120 sec to microwave radiation with a novel magnetron device at powers between 100 and 1200 W. We found that mortality of the tested species considerably increased with the increase of exposure interval at all power levels on both commodities reaching finally 100%. The results of the present study indicate that microwaves can potentially be used for the disinfection of stored products by noxious insects.