Psocids are damaging stored-product pests. In this study, eggs and early-instar nymphs, adults, and all life stages of Liposcelis entomophila, L. decolor, L. bostrychophila, and L. paeta were subjected to 43, 50, or 75% (Control) relative humidity (RH) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 d at 30.0°C. All adults of these species died within 8 d at both 43 and 50% RH, except for L. bostrychophila, which required 12 d at 50% RH for 100% mortality to occur. For all life stages and eggs and early-instar nymphs, maximum survival times (times to 100% mortality) at 43 or 50% RH for L. entomophila, L. decolor, L. bostrychophila, and L. paeta, were 8 and 10 d, 8 and 12 d, 12 and 14 d, and 12 and 16 d, respectively. During this study, numbers of nymphs and adults of all species 14 d after the RH treatments increased within the 75% RH Control arenas. Different species and life stages responded differently to 43 and 50% RH, as time to kill all stages of the four psocid species was 8–12 and 10–16 d, respectively. Results indicate that using a specific RH environment may be effective in psocid management.
How to translate text using browser tools
15 April 2021
Effects of Dehumidification on the Survivorship of Four Psocid Species
Abena F. Ocran,
George P. Opit,
Bruce H. Noden,
Frank H. Arthur,
Bradford M. Kard
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.

Journal of Economic Entomology
Vol. 114 • No. 3
June 2021
Vol. 114 • No. 3
June 2021
booklice
humidity
integrated pest management
Liposcelis
physical control