Stored-Product Insect Populations in Port Warehouses of the Gulf Coast

Abstract

The seasonal occurrence and relative abundance of stored-product insects in port warehouses of the Gulf Coast were studied during 1969–70. A trapping method using large weigh boats filled with an insect-rearing medium was developed and used to sample insect populations resident in the warehouses. The insects most frequently trapped were, in order of decreasing abundance, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), Carpophilus pilosellus (Motschulsky), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Cadra cautella (Walker), and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.). The peak abundance occurred in August and September, but some insects were present throughout the year. The most common sources of infestation were damaged or spilled commodities that remained in the warehouses for long periods. Four port facilities were sampled. Various insect-control procedures were used at 3 ports, but none were used at the fourth. Fewer insects were caught in warehouses where control programs were maintained, but commodities passing through these warehouses were not adequately protected from insect infestation.