ARTHROPODS IN TRUCKS TRANSPORTING RAW MATERIAL AND PROCESSED PRODUCTS OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY: IDENTIFICATION AND PERSPECTIVES OF CONTROLABSTRACT
To evaluate the occurrence of arthopods in trucks transporting raw material and processed products of the food industry a survey was carried out from October 1996 to October 1997. The sampling method consisted in the aspiration of 224 empty truck cargo compartments. The sucking time varied according to the volume of the compartments. Each sample was visually and stereoscopically examined 24 hours and 70 days after being taken. The specimens collected were identified whenever possible and submitted to faunistic analysis of frequency and constancy. The results indicated the aspiration method as a valid procedure and it should be adopted by the food industry for evaluation of the occurrence of arthropods inside truck cargo compartiments. Insects of the orders Psocoptera and Hymenoptera were frequent and mites were constant. Frequent clean-ups are the best altemative to remove aventual arthropods and prevent their development inside trucks.
KEY WOROS:
Arthropods; trucks; food; identification; control