Suggested procedures for applying carbon dioxide (CO2) to control stored medicinal plant products from insect pests

Pupal and adult stages of Stegobium paniceum and Lasioderma serricorne were exposed to four different gas mixtures differing in their CO2 content (20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 60 % CO2). In general, increase in carbon dioxide combined with decrease in oxygen resulted in increasing mortality. Thr gas mixture containing 60 % CO2 was the most effective mixture to control the pupal stage of S. paniceum (the most tolerant stage of treated insects). The use of this gas mixture to disinfest chamomile, fennel and anise for 5 day exposure in 4-m(3) stainless-steel fumatorium and 30-m(3) fumigation chamber under temperature range between 28 to 35 degrees C resulted in complete control. The use of CO2 For creating an atmosphere lethal to stored-product insects in sealed container vans during shipment of medicinal plants seems to be promising as a residue-Free control measure.