Insecticidal effects of nitrogen-based hypoxia–anoxia and pressure regulation on Lasioderma serricorne in paper artefacts

Paper-based artifacts are particularly susceptible to pest infestations. To overcome the limitations associated with conventional treatments, this study introduces a nitrogen-based anoxia/hypoxia and pressure regulation (NPR) system as a safer alternative for artifacts. In tests against Lasioderma serricorne (L. serricorne), a prevalent museum pest, the NPR-99 treatment achieved complete mortality of adult beetles and larvae within 4 and 12 h, respectively, without causing significant damage to the mechanical strength or color stability of the paper. Mechanistic insights indicate that the treatment disrupts physiological functions by interfering with genes related to stress response and cuticle development. This method provides an effective, non-invasive strategy for safeguarding paper-based cultural heritage.