Susceptibility of two maize grain flour to infestation by the rust- red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst)

Abstract

The susceptibility of white and yellow maize grain flour to Tribolium castaneum was evaluated at ambient temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory were 33.6±0.21 0C and 35.8±0.13% RH. Different quantities of the two varieties of maize grain flour was infested with 5 adults T. castaneum in the ratio of 3:2. The result showed that at 20 days after infestation, there were significant differences in the number of T. castaneum larvae in the different quantities of the yellow maize. Moreover, the number of T. castaneum pupae in the yellow and while maize grain flour was statistically different from each other at 66 days after infestation. However, the results at 66 days after infestation showed that there were significantly differences in the mean number of T. castaneum adults emerged from the different quantities of yellow and white maize grain flour.

Study of the Food Preference of Rusty Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Laboratory

“…Several studies indicate that the rusty red flour beetle feeds on starches and dried fruits, and prefers protein-rich food, and when other major insects are present with the flour beetles, such as Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae (Kavallieratos et al, 2020). It can cause losses to a wide range of durable stored products including barley, maize, flour, millet, wheat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, dried fruits, nuts and sorghum [7,8]. The rusty red flour beetle can be a major pest in flour mills, the biscuit industry, and retail stores.…”