English

H A Bosly,O M El Banna

doi:10.5897/jen2015.0116

Abstract

Stored wheat flour samples purchased from Jazan local markets in Saudi Arabia were checked for the presence of pests, insect and fungal species. The insects existing in the flour were separated and identified as red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and from 60 individuals (dead bodies) inspected, 17 individuals exhibited abnormal deformation, decomposition and or superficial fungal growths. Incubation of the dead insects' bodies resulted in emergence of fungal growth on the surface of these bodies. Nine fungal species that belonged to eight fungal genera were isolated. Results indicate that Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii were the most dominant fungi among those isolated from T. castaneum growing in flour followed by Sporothrix sp., Hirsutella versicolor, Granulomanus sp., modern Rhizoctonia solani, Moelleriella sp., Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus. Key words: Stored wheat flour, Tribolium castaneum, fungi, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Highlights

IntroductionSaudi Arabia is a sub-tropical country, with a warm climate that favors the multiplication of microorganisms and destructive pests of stored products (Tirado et al, 2010)
Saudi Arabia is a sub-tropical country, with a warm climate that favors the multiplication of microorganisms and destructive pests of stored products (Tirado et al, 2010).Tribolium castaneum is one of the most destructive beetle pests of stored products and a major pest of cereals worldwide especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions (Islam and Talukder, 2005)
Isolation of fungi associated with the separated T. castaneum was done in three successive stages as follows: The apparently healthy red flour beetle T. castaneum is castaneum at the beginning of infection by tion of the insect head (Figure 6), decom-position of their wings (Figure 7), legs (Figure 8) and the abdomen (Figure 9)

Summary

Introduction

Saudi Arabia is a sub-tropical country, with a warm climate that favors the multiplication of microorganisms and destructive pests of stored products (Tirado et al, 2010). Tribolium castaneum is one of the most destructive beetle pests of stored products and a major pest of cereals worldwide especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions (Islam and Talukder, 2005). Damage to agricultural crops both in the field and during harvest and storage due to fungi is very considerable as it reaches billions of dollars around the world (Kendrick, 1992). Nematodes, fungi, and microorganisms constantly compete with humans for these commodities. Interactions of these organisms might be more complicated. The stored wheat flour is subjected to invasion with the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Wakil et al, 2003)

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