Effect of Pyralid Moth Infestation on Fat Acidity, Seed Germination, and Microflora of Stored Wheat1

Abstract

Stored wheat infested by each of two species of stored-product moths, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and Ephestia cautella (Walker), at 30° C and 70% RH for 20 weeks was assessed to determine the effects of these insects on the keeping quality of wheat and wheat mixed with dockage. Moth infestation in wheat mixed with dockage resulted in significantly lower fat acidity values than in noninfested wheat and dockage. Wheat in which both species were present and wheat subjected to the dockage treatment had significantly lower seed germination than the control wheat. Insect infestation also led to increases in the level of bacterial infection. P. interpunctella decreased the level of seed infection by fungi of the Aspergillus glaucus group and damaged the endosperm of wheat more than E. cautella. E. cautella decreased Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler infection, whereas both moth species damaged the germ more than the endosperm of the wheat. The presence of these insects did not affect seed moisture content and infection by Penicillium .