Effectiveness of the ZeroFly® Storage Bag as a barrier to stored-product insect pests

The ZeroFly^® Storage Bag, which is an insecticide-incorporated polypropylene bag, is a novel and innovative tool that can be used to reduce postharvest losses caused by stored-product insect pests. We evaluated efficacy of the ZeroFly Storage Bag to prevent infestation by Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Tribolium castaneum. The experiment had four treatments, namely, miniature ZeroFly Storage Bags, unlaminated polypropylene (PP) bags, laminated PP bags, and jute bags. Twenty adult insects were introduced into each of the experimental plastic boxes containing a miniature bag with a small amount of clean diet outside the bag. The number of insects outside the bag was determined after 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 14, and 28 days. For all three species, data showed that in the ZeroFly Storage Bag treatment, all 20 insects introduced were killed outside the bag after 24 h. For the unlaminated PP bag, laminated PP bag, and jute bag, live insects were found after 28 d, for all the three species. However, none of the insects were found inside the PP bags. Live insects were found only inside jute bags. Data from this test show that the ZeroFly Storage Bag is highly effective at preventing insect infestations. Future studies will focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the ZeroFly Storage Bag to control insects in commercial warehouses.