Notice catalographique « Investigations into freezing as an alternative method of disinfesting proteinaceous artifacts : the effects of subfreezing temperatures on Dermestes maculatus Degeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) »
- Titre
- Investigations into freezing as an alternative method of disinfesting proteinaceous artifacts : the effects of subfreezing temperatures on Dermestes maculatus Degeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)
- Auteur ou éditeur
- Ketcham, Jane Dunbar
- Queen's University (Kingston, ON)
- Lieu de publication
- Kingston, ON
- Maison d'édition
- The University
- Date de publication
- 1984
- Collation
- v, 53 pages : charts, tables (black & white) ; 30 cm
- Série
- Queen's Master in Art Conservation
- Résumé
- The hazards associated with fumigants and other insecticides make it desirable to find a safe alternative for disinfesting artifacts. Freezing is one such possible alternative. It has been used on a very limited basis to disinfest some types of herbarium and archival materials. But some museum professionals still doubt its efficacy. According to the entomological literature, the majority of insects are in fact killed by freezing. There are many factors which can influence a particular insect's susceptibility to cold. The most significant variables are temperature and length of exposure. To examine the effects of subfreezing temperatures on one type of museum pest, tests were conducted with the Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, the hide beetle. Insects were subjected to four subfreezing temperatures, -12°C. ± 1.5°, -15°C. ± 1.5°, -20°C. ± 1.5°, and -23°C. ± 1.5°, for exposure periods of 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours. It was found that all stages of Dermestes maculatus could be killed, even when insulated by 5g. of cotton, by exposure of 48 hours at -12°C., 24 hours at -15°C., or 4 hours at either -20°C or -23°C. All longer exposures also proved fatal. The effect of such exposures on artifacts would be another important consideration in using freezing as a method of disinfestation. Suggestions of ways to assess the effects of freezing on protein materials are provided.
- Notes
- Project supported by the National Museum Act, which is administered by the Smithsonian Institution
- Thesis (M.A.) -- Queen's University, 1984
- Langue
- English = Anglais
- Sujet
- Insect pests - Control
- Insect pests - Biological control
- Entomology - Research
- Dermestes maculatus - Control
- Dermestidae - Control
- Leather - Cleaning
- Hides and skins - Disinfection
- Bone carving - Cleaning
- Horn carving - Cleaning
- Ethnological museums and collections
- Insectes nuisibles - Lutte biologique contre
- Insectes nuisibles - Lutte contre
- Entomologie - Recherche
- Dermestidés - Lutte contre
- Cuir - Nettoyage
- Cuirs et peaux - Désinfection
- Sculpture sur os - Nettoyage
- Sculpture en corne - Nettoyage
- Ethnologie - Musées et collections
- Pays
- Canada
- Type de document
- Monograph = Monographie
- Localisation
- QL 596 D4 K48 1984
- Clé
- 7634
- Collection
- Catalogue