Susceptibility of flexible plastic foodstuffs packaging against Monomorium indicum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) household ants

Muhammad Junaid Iqbal ¹, Muhammad Waqar Hassan ¹, Ghulam Sarwar ²

⁰Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

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March 4, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Monomorium indicum ants readily damage thin plastic food packaging. Thicker polypropylene (0.06 mm) offers resistance, unlike polyethylene, indicating ants pose a significant pest threat to packaged goods.

Area Of Science

Entomology and Pest Management
Materials Science and Packaging Technology

Background

Household ants, particularly Monomorium indicum, are common pests in Pakistan, causing significant damage to packaged foodstuffs.
The susceptibility of flexible plastic packaging materials to ant infestation is a critical concern for food preservation and safety.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the susceptibility of opaque polyethylene, transparent polyethylene, and polypropylene packaging materials against Monomorium indicum ants.
To determine the effect of packaging thickness and environmental factors on ant infestation.
To compare the pest status of Monomorium indicum ants with common stored product pests based on mandible morphology.

Main Methods

Experiments were conducted in simulated household settings using flexible plastic packaging materials of varying thicknesses (0.02 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm).
Ant infestation was assessed daily over three 15-day periods during summer.
Mandible morphology of Monomorium indicum and three common stored product pests (Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, Trogoderma granarium) was analyzed.

Main Results

All tested packaging materials at 0.02 mm thickness were susceptible to Monomorium indicum.
Polypropylene at 0.06 mm thickness showed resistance, while polyethylene remained susceptible even at this thickness.
Temperature positively correlated with packaging damage, while relative humidity showed a negative association; packaging thickness was negatively associated with damage.

Conclusions

Monomorium indicum ants exhibit a higher pest status for packaged foodstuffs compared to common stored product pests due to their larger mandible size.
Polypropylene packaging with a minimum thickness of 0.06 mm is recommended to effectively prevent infestation by Monomorium indicum.
Packaging material thickness is a crucial factor in mitigating ant damage to foodstuffs.

Keywords:

Agriculture Consumer packaging Entomology Food safety Household pests Integrated pest management Non-chemical control Polyethylene Polypropylene Polyvinylchloride