Improving stored product insect pest management: From theory to practice

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Tribolium castaneum: A Model Insect for Fundamental and Applied Research

Tribolium castaneum has a long history as a model species in many distinct subject areas, but improved connections among the genetics, genomics, behavioral, ecological, and pest management fields are needed to fully realize this species' potential as a model. Tribolium castaneum was the first beetle whose genome was sequenced, and a new genome assembly and enhanced annotation, combined with readily available genomic research tools, have facilitated its increased use in a wide range of functional genomics research. Research into T. castaneum' sensory systems, response to pheromones and kairomones, and patterns of movement and landscape utilization has improved our understanding of behavioral and ecological processes. Tribolium castaneum has also been a model in the development of pest monitoring and management tactics, including evaluation of insecticide resistance mechanisms. Application of functional genomics approaches to behavioral, ecological, and pest management research is in its infancy but offers a powerful tool that can link mechanism with function and facilitate exploitation of these relationships to better manage this important food pest. Copyright © 2022 by Annual Reviews

Distribution and migration of insects and mites in flat storage containing wheat

Studies were conducted in a flat storeroom in central Greece, filled with approx., 90 tons of wheat, in order to evaluate insect and mite species abundance, and changes in population density and distribution among sampling units and locations. The surface of the grain bulk wag divided into two sampling zones: the central and the peripheral (edge). At 10-day intervals, five wheat samples were taken from the central zone and eight from the peripheral zone, with a non-partitioned grain trier (1.6-m length, 250-g capacity). Fifteen insect species and 12 mite taxa were found during the sampling period, (June 1999-Feb. 2000). The most abundant insect species were Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Cryptolestes ferriegineus (Stephens), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Latheticus oryzae Waterhouse; the most abundant mite species were Acarus siro L., Lepidoglyphus destructor (Shrank), and the predators Blattisocius tarsalis (Berlese) and B. keegani Fox, Grain temperature decreased during the storage period, more slowly in the central than peripheral zone; grain moisture content increased. The highest population densities for both insects and mites were recorded during September and October. The most numerous species of insects and mites showed an aggregated spatial pattern, as indicated by Iwao's Patchiness Regression

Influence of killing agents and water on the capture of six Coleoptera species in probe traps

The introduction of propylene glycol, DDVP and water inside perforated probe traps was evaluated on the basis of their effectiveness in trapping adults of six species of Coleoptera infesting stored cereals. Adults of Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Tenebroides mauritanicus, Rhyzopertha dominica and Oryzaephilus surinamensis were placed in plastic cylindrical bins each containing 14 kg of wheat. One probe trap was then introduced into each container and the adults trapped were counted 72 h later. Experiments were conducted at two population densities, of 30 adults (approx. one insect per 0.5 kg of wheat) and 90 adults (approx. three adults per 0.5 kg of wheat) of each species per container. The highest percentage of adults trapped was observed for C. ferrugineus and T. castaneum, and the lowest for R. dominica and S. oryzae. No significant differences in number of adults captured (% of the total number of adults) was noted between the two population density levels. At the lower density, the presence of killing agents in the traps did not increase the captures significantly; on the other hand, at the higher density, the killing agents helped to increase significantly the catches of S. oryzae, T castaneum, T mauritanicus and O. surinamensis, as compared with the catches in the control traps. No significant differences were noted for C. ferrugineus and R. dominica