The Influence of Humidity on the Effectiveness of Certain Fumigants Against the Eggs and Adults of Tribolium Confusum Duv.1

Abstract

Ethylene oxide, carbon disulfide and chloropicrin were investigated with respect to their toxicity to eggs and adults of Tribolium Confusum Duval. It was found that toxicity to adults is not affected by ordinary variations in relative humidity. On the other hand dry air conditions reduce materially the effect of chloropicrin and carbon disulfide on eggs. Under all moisture conditions tested, ethylene oxide was more effective against the eggs of Tribolium, whereas carbon disulfide and chloropicrin were more so against the adults. Contrary to the generally accepted view that the egg is a particularly resistant stage, ethylene oxide appears to be nine times as toxic to the eggs as to the adults of Tribolium.