Published information about insect pest infestation in dried or preserved animal products comprising food items like dried fish and milk powder and non-food materials such as hides and skins, silkworm cocoons, wool and woollen materials, honeybee combs, fishmeal and museum collections/exhibits and control measures has been summarised in this review. Beetle and moth pests belonging to the Dermestidae and Tineidae, respectively, attack the animal products, during the processing or manufacturing stage as well as in storage. The insects cause considerable loss or damage to the commodity in terms of quantity, quality and market value. Silk, apiculture and leather industries are particularly affected by the pests. Data on the extent of losses due to insect pests in various preserved animal products are lacking. Insect control measures in these products differ depending on the conditions of storage or processing and the relevant cost factor. Phosphine fumigation plays an important role in insect pest elimination in the majority of the stored animal products. For disinfesting museum objects and honeycombs, freezing (for artefacts) or modified atmosphere application of CO2 or nitrogen is preferred. Commodities such as woollen materials, dried fish, fishmeal and feeds containing animal products and their storage premises are sometimes treated with residual contact insecticides such as deltamethrin, pirimiphos-methyl, permethrin and synergised pyrethrins. For protecting animal products, especially dried fish, different countries have examined alternatives including plant extracts and vegetable oils.
The need for detailed studies on (i) fumigation with alternatives to methyl bromide such as sulphuryl fluoride, ethyl formate and ozone, (ii) disinfestation methods involving the active principles from natural products and (iii) exploitation of insect traps for pest management in museums has been highlighted. |