Insect pests population of stored maize in four regencies of South Sulawesi

Abstract

Information on species, insect pest populations that attack and storage conditions determines the control strategy. This study aims to determine the various types of post-harvest pest s population in maize kernels stored in four in South Sulawesi. Identification of post-harvest insect pests at the Pest Laboratory, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hasanuddin Makassar. Sampling using the direct capture method (hand sampling) and manual instruments. Sampling was carried out by taking samples of corn kernels in sacks from five points and taking samples of the corn kernels that were scattered on the floor of the warehouse. The results showed that 10 spesies of insects were found including 9 spesies of pests namely Sitophilus sp. Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Corcyra cephalonica, Carpophilus sp, Araecerus fasciculatus, Lophocateres pusillus, Rhyzopertha dominca, Tribolium castaneum and Oryzaephilus surinamensis and one species of parasitoid :Anisopteromalus calandrae. Sitophilus sp. is the most common species found in all districts with a total population of 636 individuals then Cryptolestes ferrugineus with 53 individuals and T. castaneum with 37 individuals. Post-harvest pest populations in all districts were found more commonly around 73% in piles of sacks compared to populations found in spilage commodities, namely around 27%.