Non-chemical dielectric barrier discharge treatment as a method of insect control

Summary form only given. The migration of insects due to trade of agricultural commodities and human travel is a significant problem in many countries. Limiting the migration of insect pests is commonly done with chemical pesticides. Concerns about resistance to chemical pesticides as well as their environmental impact has stimulated an evaluation of alternative pest control methods. Non-chemical dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment of insects in a low density (10/sup 6/-10/sup 8/ cm/sup -3/), low temperature (1-2 eV) discharge has proven effective in significantly reducing the population of the key insects studied. The insects are directly exposed to a wide gap (>3 cm) helium discharge with current densities on the order of 0.1 mA/sub RMS//cm/sup 2/. Direct measurement of chemical species and ambient gas temperature shows the DBD treatment to be effective when the chemically reactive species are suppressed by helium, and when the ambient gas temperature of the discharge is below 40/spl deg/C. However, the treatment is more rapid when the ambient gas temperature is elevated. The study has shown the treatment does not always induce mortality instantly, but mortality occurs over a 24 hr-72 hr period after treatment.