Lesser grain borrer insect pest of stored products

Ehtisham Ali Hussain
University College Of Agriculture,
University Of Sargodha, Sargodha
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1. INSECT PEST OF STORED PRODUCTS Ehtisham Ali Hussain University College Of Agriculture, University Of Sargodha, Sargodha

2. INTRODUCTION Scientific name : Rhyzopertha Dominica. Family :Bostrchidae . Order : coleoptera. (Rhyzopertha dominica ) Although it is still relatively rare, the lesser grain borer has become the most commonly encountered primary pest of stored grain in Montana.

3. IDENTIFICATION The adults of this species are readily distinguished by the “squared-off” appearance at the front of the body. Viewed from directly above, the cover of the thorax hides the head. The adults are less than 1/8 of an inch in length and range from reddish brown to dark brown. This species is a good flier, and adults are readily trapped in pheromone-baited traps at harvest. However, infestations are infrequent, when compared to the rate of capture for adults in these traps.

4. LARVA The larva are white to cream coloured with biting mouthparts Larva has three pair of legs . Young larva are mobile in bulk. It is sacarabaeiform .

5. ADULT Adult is 2-3 mm long reddish brown in colour . Slim cylindrical in shape. The elytra which cover memberaneous hind wings . The head is not visible when viewed from above and its antennae end in a distinctive 3 segmented club shape.

6. ADULT

7. LIFE CYCLE OF L.G .B The eggs are laid singly among the grains . The larva feed upon the flour. The larva pupa with in the grain and grain dust. After pupation adult emerged and remains inside the grain for some days then comes out. There are 5-6 generations in a year.

8. LIFE CYCLE

9. DAMAGES Both larva and adult attack on the grains and cause damage by feeding and making many irregular hole on them . In severe infestation a considerable amount of frass is produce by adult and they spoil more then what they eat . On the flour young grabs are nourished.

10. DAMAGES

11. INSECTICIDES RESISTANCE The lesser grain borer has shown high resistance to malathion in wheat producing areas where it is more common. It is moderately tolerant of the insecticide chlorpyrifos -methyl ( Reldan ®), so this insect is not listed on the label. A light to moderate tolerance has been found to phosphine gas, once again in those areas where it is more commonly encountered.

12. INSECTICIDES

13. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL There are a number of insect predators and parasitic wasps that attack insect pests of stored grain. All are effective if used in overwhelming numbers. However, biologicals are generally not used because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and food processors do not accept live insects or insect parts in raw grain. This inudative approach is simply the addition of very large numbers of beneficial insects.

14. INSECTICIDES Cyfluthrin . Diacon . centynal .

15. INSECTICIDES

16. CONTROL Properly dry the stored products before storage. Store grains in the clean cantainers . Plug all the crevices and cracks in the store . Fumigation of food grains and store with carbon tetra chloride should be done .