The additive effect of carbon dioxide on mortality of the cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in low-oxygen atmospheres

Low-oxygen (O-2)-controlled atmospheres (CAs) for tobacco pest control require long operation times at moderate temperatures (a parts per thousand currency sign25 A degrees C), causing low throughput and high costs except during summer. The additive effect of CO2 on the mortality of the cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (F.) in 0.5 % O-2 was evaluated to improve the effectiveness of low-O-2 CAs. The lethal times for eggs, larvae, and adults in 0.5 % O-2 were mostly reduced when 3 % CO2 was added. However, the differences were small-only a few percent-and not sufficient to shorten the practical operation times of low-O-2 CAs.