Stored-Product Insect Populations in Boxcars Delivering Flour and Rice to Gulf Coast Ports

Abstract

Stored-product insect infestations in boxcars delivering cargoes to Gulf Coast ports were studied during 1969–71. Twenty-nine species of insects were found associated with boxcars at these ports. Sacks of flour were inspected as they were unloaded from boxcars, and insects were found crawling on sacks from 85 to 90% of the boxcars during the summer months. The most abundant species were red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); lesser grain borers, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.); hairy fungus beetles, Typhaea stercorea (L.); and flat or rusty grain beetles, Cryptolestes spp. Examination of boxcars that delivered cargoes to Gulf ports revealed that 74% contained enough farinaceous debris from previous loads to support insect populations. To determine the actual insect content, debris samples from 175 boxcars were examined, and 81% of the cars were found infested by one or more species of stored-product insects. The most abundant insects resident in the cars were red flour beetles; dermestids (Trogoderma spp.); Cryptolestes spp.; almond moths, Cadra cautella (Walker); and lesser grain borers. Almond moths were found in 25% of the cars sampled. This fact is significant. as the almond moth causes severe problems in United States export cargoes during transit. yet it is seldom detected by visual inspections before shipment.