Abstract
Untreated polyester or permethrin-treated polypropylene food pouches were exposed to large populations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Cadra cautella (Walker). Also included were control pouches made of untreated polypropylene film, and standard pouches made of polyethylene film 254 μm thick. The pouches contained a variety of foods sealed in polyester film laminates. T. castaneum failed to penetrate the polyester and permethrin-treated film during 24 months of storage.C. cautella did not penetrate polyester film; penetration of permethrin-treated film by C. cautella was found only at 24 months. L. serricorne did not penetrate polyester film and penetrated permethrin-treated film and polyethylene at similar low rates. R. dominica penetrated almost all polyethylene pouches, all untreated polypropylene pouches, about half the polyester pouches, and ca. 19% of the permethrin-treated pouches. In general, the order of descending resistance to penetration by the four species was permethrin-treated film, polyester film, polyethylene film, and polypropylene film.