Disinfestation of Hessian fly puparia in small rectangular hay bales using a laboratory heat treatment unit

摘要

Phytosanitary and quarantine regulations stipulate that shipments of compressed baled hay be inspected for or be disinfested of Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), contamination. Plants such as wheat, barley, and Agropyron spp. grasses are host to the Hessian fly. The infested plants growing in hay fields as weeds may be introduced as contaminants when the hay is cut and baled. Visual inspections are usually conducted by quarantine officers to identify host plants or insects in the hay bale. This procedure can be costly and can be subjected to human errors when large shipments are involved. Shipments of compressed baled hay are rejected and shipped back to the ports of origin when found to contain host plants or contaminated with Hessian fly resulting in serious economic loss to the hay exporting industry.