Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Insects are affected by temperature in all aspects of their biology: ecology, reproduction, behaviour, physiology and biochemistry. A review of how low temperatures can be used to control stored-product insects will be given. Stored-product insects reproduce between 15 and 35oC, with maximum reproduction occurring at approximately 33oC. Above and below these temperatures insects can move, but cannot complete their development. Temperatures below 5oC and above 40oC insects cannot walk, and will eventually die. Between -15 and -25oC insects freeze and die instantaneously. There are significant changes to these general patterns depending upon species, life stage and acclimation. For example, insects can become 10 times more resistant to cold if acclimated at cool temperatures (5-15oC) before being exposed to sub-zero temperatures. The speed and direction of movement is affected by temperature. The implications for trapping and sampling are discussed. .
