www.BPI.gr - BENAKI PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL INSTITUTE

CO-FUNDED PROJECTS

General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT)

Evaluation of ozone and propylene oxide for quarantine and pre-shipment treatments, as alternatives to methyl bromide and other environmental toxicants

Acronym	-
Title	Evaluation of ozone and propylene oxide for quarantine and pre-shipment treatments, as alternatives to methyl bromide and other environmental toxicants
Status	Active
Funding Source	GSRT (100%)
Coordinator	University of Thessaly
BPI Leader	Dr Nikolas G. Kavallieratos, Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology
Starting date	01.01.2010
Duration	4 Years
Website	-
Summary	The ongoing use of methyl bromide (as well as other gaseous insecticides) for the control of insect species in stored-product commodities has serious negative effects on the environment. These substances are also very toxic to mammals. The most important impacts of methyl bromide are to be found in the atmosphere, where it is considered to be one of the most important factors in the reduction of the ozone layer. Thus, methyl bromide has been phased out in developed countries, while the use of other gaseous insecticides that are environmentally toxic is under re-evaluation or likely prohibition. Nevertheless, under existing phytosanitary legislation, and despite the fact that methyl bromide has not been in use in developed countries since 2005, its use remains legal in the quarantine and pre-shipment applications for disinfecting high-value commodities such as dried fruit and nuts. Given the continuing use of methyl bromide, evaluation of other gaseous insecticides is essential and crucial in order to find viable, more ecologically-compatible alternative methods. Amongst the potential alternatives suggested, gaseous ozone and propylene oxide show great promise as possible substitutes for methyl bromide. The aim of the current proposal is to assess these two gaseous substances in dried figs and nuts. For this purpose, laboratory bioassays will be carried out to evaluate the insecticidal effect of ozone and propylene oxide, as measured against the insect species Plodia interpunctella and Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), both major pests of these commodities. The bioassays will be conducted in dried fruit and hazelnuts, which are commonly heavily infested by these two pests at the post-harvest stage. Mortality following exposure to ozone and propylene oxide will be tested at all life stages of these pests: namely, at egg, larval, pupal and adult stages. In this way, the “critical” dose for each stage will be investigated. Moreover, the exposed commodities will be examined for potential insecticide residues. At the same time, the effect of ozone and propylene oxide upon the physical and chemical properties of the tested products will be also assessed. Taking into account the fact that, globally-speaking, there are no currently-viable alternatives to methyl bromide for quarantine and pre-shipment treatments, the results of the present study will contribute to the development of an Integrated Management of these treatments, based on ecologically-compatible control methods.

GSRT (GREECE-TURKEY COMMON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY) PROJECTS

BREEDSEED

Μolecular and ecological diversity of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in agroecosystems of Greece and Turkey

Acronym	-
Title	Μolecular and ecological diversity of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in agroecosystems of Greece and Turkey
Status	Active
Funding Source	GSRT (100%)
Coordinator	BPI
BPI Leader	Dr Nikolas G. Kavallieratos, Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology
Starting date	01.01.2010
Duration	4 years
Website	-
Summary	Aphidiinae are considered biological agents of high importance for the control of aphids, which are serious pests of plants. Aphidiinae show very promising potential as an alternative to insecticides, which are dangerous for human health, the agroecosystem and the environment. In order to improve the knowledge regarding the molecular and ecological diversity of Aphidiinae in Greece, as well as to complete, evaluate and provide a comparison with the acquired data from the Turkish side, the proposed project will: 1) test for possible host-associated lineages of Aphidius colemani, an important biocontrol agent 2) evaluate the molecular and morphological characterization of the Praon dorsale - yomenae species complex, 3) evaluate various indigenous plants as reservoirs of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), 4) demonstrate the probable existence of new Aphidiinae species, 5) investigate the parasitoid - aphid - plant associations and their distribution, 6) examine the relative abundance as well as the spectrum of Aphidiinae in populations of economical (or otherwise) importance, 7) evaluate the interactions of Aphidiinae with other groups of parasitic insects, such as the various hyperparasitoiods: (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae, Pteromalidae, Charipidae: Alloxystinae, Cynipidae).

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Last update: 8/10/2025