Application of low temperatures for pests control in stored maize

F1 generation test insects Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. – maize weevil, and Rhyzopertha dominica F. – lesser grain borer were grown in laboratory conditions. In 2007, experiments with the test insects were set up in silo chamber filled with maize cooled at 6 °C. Mean mortality value of 100% maize weevils was obtained after 43 days, while lesser grain borer attained the same results after 33 days. This species is more sensitive to low temperature due to the termophility in ecology of growth. Insect mortality in control samples was not significant. In the process of conducting experiments economic costs index for storing 750 t maize grain by cooling was slightly higher than the costs of single fumigation by a.i. phosphine (PH3). By pest reinfestation in practice in the season of storing, 2 fumigation treatments are carried out, which double costs of chemical treatment, and contaminate products and the environment.