Lesser grain borrer insect pest of stored products
- 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 .