Studying the susceptibility of red flour beetles to penetration and control of some packaging materials using low pressure and carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides

Ninevah province is one of the ancient places in Iraq in producingof wheat from which , in addition to flour , many products are preparedsince the first thousand years BC . These products are subjecte toinfestation with red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst ) & khaprabeetie,Trogoderma granarium Everts. Hence, the present investigationaimed at studying the biology of both insects at 321 C & relativehumidity 705% . The control was 95% flour powder & 5% yeastpowder.Results of the present study showed that Among the different typesof pouches investigated, those made of polypropylene were found to bethe most resistant to penetration , followed by aluminum foil. polyester .Cellophane. Polyethylene and gunny. Highest mortality rate of bothinsects was due to subjection to carbon dioxide ,followed by subjection tonitrogen gas and finally those subjected to low pressure. Sensitivity ofdifferent stages to these gases was as follows: adult> egg> pupa >larva.From the results of the above mentioned study, can be concludedthat Low pressure, carbon dioxide or nitrogen can be employed to protectthese products from infestation by the two insects studied .