title: Extreme cold temperature to kill blueberry maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) in reusable containers.
abstract: Pupae of the blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), were subjected to -20 degrees C for 2, 4, 7, 10, and 15 d (control = 0 d at 4 degrees C) in fall 2011 and 2012 and were allowed to overwinter for at least 181 d at 4 degrees C. Mean adult emergence in the control was 64% in 2012 and 39% in 2013. No adults emerged in May 2012 from 500 pupae treated for > 2 d at -20 degrees C in fall 2011. Two adults emerged in May 2013 from 100 pupae treated for 2 d at -20 degrees C in fall 2012. No adults emerged in May 2013 from 400 pupae subjected to -20 degrees C for durations of 4, 7, 10, and 15 d. No adults emerged from larvae concealed in berries subjected to -20 degrees C for > 2 d. Exposure of larvae and pupae to cold temperatures (i.e., -20 degrees C) for > 2 d can be a valuable nonpesticidal method for killing R. mendax larvae and pupae associated with reusable containers.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lemoyne
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaul
authors.forename: Kenna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029798:Blueberry Plants; D002170:Canada; D003080:Cold Temperature; D018857:Food Packaging; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009026:Mortality; D011679:Pupa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D033621:Tephritidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*