Effects of heat treatments on mortality of different development stages of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst. (Col., Tenebrionidae)

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Hbst., is an important pest of food processing facilities world wide. The use of elevated temperatures or heat treatments is a very effective method for managing of stored pests. In this study, the mortality of pest in 5 constant temperatures, including 35, 45, 50, 55 and 60°C at times 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes on different growth stages (5-days larvae, 15-days larvae, pupae and adult of T. castaneum) were determined. Insects after heating, at temperatures of 28±1°C and relative humidity 65±5% were maintained. The results showed that, the most sensitive and resistant stages were 15-days larvae and pupal stages, respectively. It also revealed that the minimum temperature controller for 5-days larvae, 15-days larvae, pupal and adults stages were 55, 50, 55 and 50°C, respectively. Therefore, considering the possible all growth stages in an infected mass, 15°C temperature in 55 minutes, can be effective for control of all pest growth stages.