2006 journal article

Nonchemical dielectric barrier discharge treatment as a method of insect control

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE, 34(1), 55–62.

By: B. Bures*, K. Donohue n, R. Roe n  & M. Bourham n 

co-author countries: United States of America πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
author keywords: dielectric barrier discharge (DBD); insect control; neutral bremsstrahlung continuum
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

The spread of insects due to trade of agricultural commodities and travel of humans is a significant problem in many countries. Limiting the movement of pest species is commonly achieved by the use of chemical pesticides. Concerns about resistance to insecticides, as well as their environmental impact has stimulated an evaluation of alternative pest control methods. Nonchemical dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment of insects in a low electron density (10/sup 6/-10/sup 8/ cm/sup -3/), low electron temperature (1-2 eV) discharge has proven effective in significantly reducing the population of selected insects. The insects are directly exposed to a wide gap (>3 cm) helium discharge with average power densities on the order of 60 mW/cm/sup 3/. Direct measurement of chemical species and ambient gas temperature shows the DBD treatment remains 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 instant mortality: however, the mortality increases over a 24-h period after treatment.