Simple technique to increase the sensitivity of probe traps in detecting Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) in stored wheat

Abstract

An approach to enhance the performance of probe traps in detecting Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) adults in stored wheat is described. The repellent property of proteinenriched pea flour is exploited to increase the efficiency of the probe trap by treating the stored grain with the flour. The enhancement in performance of the traps was evaluated by placing the traps in wheat grains treated with protein-enriched pea flour at concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10% (w/w) and observing the number of adult beetles trapped in comparison with the trap catch in untreated wheat. The traps kept in wheat treated with protein-enriched pea flour caught more beetles than traps placed in untreated wheat. The practical implications of this work are discussed with reference to sampling for C. ferrugineus.