DISTRIBUTION OF INSECTS FOUND IN GRANARY RESIDUES IN THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES

Abstract

AbstractA distribution study of stored-product and other insects in unswept, empty farm granaries was conducted in Manitoba in 1981, in Saskatchewan in 1982, and in Alberta in 1984.Thirteen species of stored-product insects were found in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and 12 in Alberta, indicating uniform geographical distribution among the number of pest species throughout the prairies. The most common was Tribolium audax Halstead, followed by Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) and Tenebrio molitor L. Nine fungus-feeding species were found in Manitoba, 12 in Saskatchewan, and 12 in Alberta. The most common fungus feeders were Lathridius minutus (L.), Corticarina cavicollis Mann., Cryptophagus varus W.&C., and Corticaria serrata (Paykull). Five non-stored product species of insects that were scavengers, predators, or were sheltering in the granaries were found in Manitoba, 31 in Saskatchewan, and 10 in Alberta.The distribution of six stored-product species, two fungus-feeding species, and one scavenger did not show a uniform abundance in the three prairie provinces, either in their distribution on farms or in granaries.