A review of insect cold hardiness and its potential in stored product insect control

In this paper, we briefly review the ability of insects and mites to survive exposures to low temperatures and discuss its characteristics. The potential implications and uses for post-harvest pest control are also addressed as a paradigm of possible expansion in pest management. Exposure to low temperatures is the crucial factor for the induction of cold hardiness. Also, the contribution of the Super Cooling Point (SCP) is discussed. Moreover, insects and mites vary remarkably in their susceptibility to low temperatures, as some show a more “stable” cold tolerance while others are more opportunistic. There are certain cases where low temperatures can be utilized in the control of stored product and quarantine insects and mites. In the literature, there are numerous published studies that illustrate this use, on the basis of non-chemical based pest management. These studies are reviewed in the present paper, illustrating the potential use of low temperatures for pest control, in an IPM-based strategy, with particular emphasis at the post-harvest stages of agricultural commodities, where abiotic conditions are often more easily controlled.