Castaneum Infestation Research Articles

Insecticidal and Antifeedant Activity of Andrographis paniculata as Rice Grain Protectant against Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst)

The red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst) is the most common stored-product insect pest infesting rice, which acts as vector for several fungal post-harvest diseases. To eradicate such pest, fumigation with chemicals is often used. As a natural alternative, this study explored the potential of Andrographis paniculata, an indigenous herb in the Philippines, as an antifeedant agent against T. castaneum. Three treatment groups were prepared, consisting of 2kg infected rice with 50 starved unsexed adult red flour beetles. Two grams of A. paniculata crushed leaves were placed inside a teabag (5.5 cm x 7 cm). Different amounts of A. paniculata tea bags (2 g, 4 g, and 6 g) were used for each treatment to determine its toxicity and antifeedant effect. Gathered data were further analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the significant differences among treatments. Results of the study showed that among the treatments, three teabags (6g) of A. paniculata crushed leaves exhibited the highest percent insect mortality (50%) and lowest percent weight loss (1.87%) of rice. Therefore, this study suggests that three teabags of A. paniculata powder may be used for the efficient management of T. castaneum infestation and reduce the weight loss of rice in storage.

Influence of <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> (Herbst) Infestation on Farinographical Properties of Wheat Flour Dough

The effect of T. castaneum infestation on farinographical properties of dough made from wheat flour infested by initial 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 T. castaneum adults for 0, 30, 60, and 90 d at 15, 25, and 30°C and 75% RH was investigated. The water absorption and softening degree of dough made from wheat flour infested by T. castaneum increased with increasing initial adult population density, storage temperature, and storage time, but the dough development time and stability time decreased significantly at 25 and 30°C. The water absorption, development time, stability time and softening degree of dough made from wheat flour infested by initial 8 T. castaneum adults respectively reached 75.40±0.30%, 1.23±0.25 min, 1.17±0.15 min, and 182.67±1.53 FU after 90 d of storage at 30°C. The farinographical quality of wheat flour infested by adult T. castaneum population changed little at 15°C. Therefore, wheat flour should be stored at low temperature and insect-free environment.

Biotoxicity of essential oils and their nano-emulsions against the coleopteran stored product insect pests Sitophilus oryzae L. and Tribolium castaneum herbst

The insecticidal activity of anise, thyme, and coriander essential oils in bulk and prepared nano-emulsions formulations were evaluated against the adults of stored grain pests Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum. The prepared essential oil nano-emulsions exhibited poly dispersity indices ranging from 0.209 to 0.37, and zeta potentials between −14.5 and −27.8 mV. The smallest oil nano-emulsion droplet diameter was coriander (88.83 nm) and the largest was anise (103.57 nm). Although no significant differences in the toxicity of the three oils against T. castaneum were detected, anise and thyme oils were significantly more toxic than coriander oil to S. oryzae. Preparing the anise and thyme oils as nano-emulsion formulations significantly increased the toxicity by 1.50- and 1.47-fold, respectively, against T. castaneum. The nano-emulsions were also significantly more toxic (1.41–1.48 times) than the bulk essential oils to S. oryzae. The anise nano-emulsion showed the highest toxicity against S. oryzae and T. castaneum, with LC50 values of 3858.88 and 4985.1 mg/L respectively. GC–MS analysis of anise essential oil revealed that ultra-sonication caused a 2.73-fold decrease in the anethole level in the nano-emulsion and completely removed nine minor compounds. The anise oil nano-emulsion was the most effective insecticide, reducing S. oryzae emergence by 94.64% and protecting nearly 84.5% of wheat grains from T. castaneum infestation. Finally, the tested NEs or EO had not any negatively significant effect on wheat seed germination rate.

Volatile chemical composition of Colombian Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng essential oil and its biocidal action against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is an herbaceous and aromatic plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. In this research work, the repellent and insecticidal activity of the essential oil (EO) of P. amboinicus from the Condoto township in the department of Choco (Colombia) against the flour weevil Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) was studied. EO was isolated by the hydrodistillation technique. The identification of the volatile metabolites of P. amboinicus EO was done through gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC / MS). The contact method was used for the bioassay of the essential oil’s repellent and fumigant activities. In the Plectranthus amboinicus EO, fifteen compounds were found. The major compound was carvacrol (75.9%) followed by α-bergamotene, p-cymene, α-humulene, 4-terpineol, caryophyllene oxide, β-guaiene, 1-octen-3-ol, α-muurolene, caryophyllene, 3-hexen-2-ol, γ-terpinene, isothymol, 2-carene and β-bisabolene, respectively. The highest repellent activity obtained was 83.33 and 9.67% at a concentration of 0,1% with exposure times of 2 and 4 hours, respectively. The fumigant activity was 100% at a concentration of EO 250 μL L-1. The results indicated that the natural compounds tested may be useful alternatives to control T. castaneum infestation.

THE EFFICACY OF SALT, GINGER AND TWO LOCAL PEPPERS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTAIN CHIPS INFESTED WITH TRIBOLUM CASTANEUM (HERBST) (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)

ABSTRACT The red flour beetle, Tribolum castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is one among the major devastating pests of stored plantain chips and stored flours. Their control using synthetic options of insecticide may cause food poisoning and bioaccumulation. The use of botanical treatments and their relatives have stood out by their proven efficacy against insect pests. This present study therefore evaluates the toxicity and repellency of table salt (Sodium Chloride), Zingiber officinale and pepper powders (Aframomum melegueta and Dennettia tripetala) as protectants of dried plantain chips infested with T. castaneum in the laboratory using standard methods. The highest percentage mean mortality (%) was recorded in 10g salted chips (65.00±7.88), and 10g D. tripetala (72.50±7.88), and repellency in 2g of Z. officinale and salt (69.06±5.91 and 51.22±5.91) respectively. Lowest number of holes was recorded in 5g of D. tripetala and 2g of salt (1.88±0.88 and 1.50±1.17) respectively. Likewise, the percentage weight loss was recorded in 5g of salt and 2g D. tripetala (1.80±0.87 and 62.62±6.87). A significant difference was observed in all the treatment groups (p< 0.05). LC50 was lowest in salted chips (1.59g) compared to D. tripetala (2.02g) and other peppered chips. More so, LC95 was lowest in D. tripetala (10.80g) compared to salt (36.00g) and other pepper chips. Considering the high mortality recorded in salted and peppered chips, their best concentrations could be adopted as viable alternatives over chemical pesticides in managing T. castaneum infestation in storage conditions.

Shelf-Life Extension of Dried <i>Kaempferia</i><i> parviflora</i> Rhizomes by Gamma Irradiation

Kaempferia parviflora rhizomes exposed to gamma irradiation at doses of 0, 5, and 7.5 kGy were evaluated every 3 months for their microbial loads, contents of 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF), total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assays) during 12 months of storage at 25 °C. After gamma irradiation, microbial loads were reduced below acceptable limits. Phytochemical contents in irradiated samples were significantly increased as compared to those of the control (0 kGy) while DPPH radical scavenging activities were significantly decreased. However, gamma irradiation had no effect on FRAP values. During storage of irradiated samples, phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities were gradually decreased whereas microbial loads were progressively increased. Even so, microbial quality of irradiated samples was less than acceptable limits through 12 months' storage. Gamma irradiation at doses of 5 and 7.5 kGy was sufficient to control microbial growth and T. castaneum infestation of K. parviflora rhizomes within acceptable limits for at least 12 months at 25 °C. Additionally, 5 and 7.5 kGy were effective doses to retain DMF and phenolics in K. parviflora rhizomes.

Effects of gamma irradiation under vacuum and air packaging atmospheres on the phytochemical contents, biological activities, and microbial loads of Kaempferia parviflora rhizomes

Kaempferia parviflora is a traditional herb for health promotion and therapy attributed to its methoxyflavone and phenolic constituents. This study was performed to determine the effects of gamma irradiation (0, 5, 7.5, and 10 kGy) under vacuum and air packaging atmospheres on the phytochemical contents, biological activities, and microbial loads of K. parviflora rhizomes. The optimal extraction condition for achieving high antioxidant activity was: ethanolic concentration, 40% v/v; solid/solvent ratio, 1 : 10 g/ml; extraction temperature, 30 °C; and extraction time, 1 h. This condition was used to prepare extracts of K. parviflora rhizomes for further determination. The high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector method was employed for the determination of methoxyflavones in rhizome extracts. The contents of methoxyflavones and phenolic compounds were found to increase with increasing gamma irradiation dose. In contrast, the antioxidant activities decreased with increasing gamma radiation dose. However, all three doses applied did not affect total flavonoid contents and albumin denaturation inhibitory activities in all extracts. The highest contents of methoxyflavones and phenolic compounds were observed in 7.5 kGy irradiated rhizomes packaged under air atmosphere. Irradiation treatment at doses of 5–10 kGy was sufficient to control microbial contamination and Tribolium castaneum infestation in dried rhizomes. This study suggests that 7.5 kGy irradiation is the effective treatment to improve the quality of K. parviflora rhizomes.

Damage potential of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on wheat grains stored in hermetic and non-hermetic storage bags

Post-harvest storage of wheat in grain storage bags is commonly adopted practice in many developing countries, which offers a viable chemical-free approach to control storage insects. The damage potential of Tribolium castaneum in wheat grains stored in different storage bags at various storage periods was studied. A highly significant effect (P < 0.01) of the storage bags and storage periods was observed in variables measured (insect growth rate, damaged grains, grain weight loss and weight of insect feeding residues). The maximum mean insect growth rate (85.20 ± 2.80), percent damaged wheat grains (73.24 ± 0.17%), percent grain weight loss (21.14 ± 0.21%) and weight of insect feeding residues (2.15 ± 0.01 g) were recorded in wheat grains stored in cotton cloth bag at 150 d, whereas minimum mean insect growth rate (30.00 ± 0.00), percent damaged wheat grains (10.44 ± 0.16%), percent grain weight loss (0.82 ± 0.06%) and weight of insect feeding residues (0.22 ± 0.02 g) were recorded on wheat grains stored in hermetic bag due to 100% mortality of T. castaneum in hermetic bag at 30 d. A significant and positive correlation between storage periods, insect growth rate, damaged wheat grains, grain weight loss and weight of insect feeding residues was observed, except for the storage bags which were significantly and negatively correlated with other factors. In addition, the simple and linear regressions analysis were significant (P < 0.01), and all the equations for these analyses were fitted for the regression models and perfectly described the association between the dependent and independent variables. Hermetic bag proved resistance to external environment fluctuations in abiotic factors such as temperature and relative humidity. While grain moisture in all other bags fluctuated with external environment. The results showed that quantitative and qualitative losses of stored wheat grains depends not only the type of storage bags, but also on the storage periods. T. castaneum can have a negative impact on wheat grains stored in all storage bags except hermetic bag. So, it is recommended that hermetic bag be used at farmers’ level to achieve greater benefits by reducing T. castaneum infestation.

Effect of chemical and physical properties of Dried Distillers Grains with solubles (DDGS) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) development

Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) has been used as a grain-based supplement in animal feed. The focus of this study was to investigate the effects of chemical and physical characteristics that may affect DDGS susceptibility to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation. Multiple regression-based models were built to determine if the diet’s chemical and physical characteristics affect T. castaneum development. Based on the regression models, diet particle size was the most influential factor in larval development. Larval weight increased more rapidly on T. castaneum normal laboratory diet, 90% flour/10% brewer’s yeast (F/Y), followed by ground DDGS, compared to raw DDGS with different particle sizes. To determine the effect of diet particle size on larval development, experiments were conducted to increase particle size by pelletizing F/Y using a rotary drum granulation apparatus. T. castaneum larval stage lasted significantly longer on F/Y granules with a particle size of 1.4 mm or larger. Although the chemical properties of DDGS (protein, fat, fiber and ash content) were not significant predictors of T. castaneum larval development, larval developmental time and weight gain on ground DDGS was significantly slower than on F/Y, highlighting the potential importance of nutritional factors not accounted for in our analysis. Our results conclude that storing DDGS as raw ingredient and in the granule or pellet form with large particle size may help limit T. castaneum infestations. Although granulation or pelletization may not be economically feasible for small manufacturing plants, larger producers may benefit from the reduced risk of insect contamination associated with secondary feeders such as T. castaneum.

Changes in the nutritional composition of maize flour due to Tribolium castaneum infestation and application of carbon dioxide to manage this pest.

Maize flour was infested with fresh emerged Tribolium castaneum adults, and its nutritional composition was evaluated after 0, 45, and 90days of the infestation. Furthermore, 99% carbon dioxide was applied to different developmental stages of T. castaneum for its management. There were six treatments and five replicates; for each replicate, maize flour (150g) was taken in a 250-ml plastic jar container, insects were released in the flour, and jars were placed into the incubator at a temperature of 28 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH. Similarly, the application of 99% CO2 was done with four exposure times of 12, 24, 48, and 72h, at 35°C 65 ± 5% RH. Present results showed major fluctuations in the nutritive composition of maize flour. Increase in the moisture, fat, fiber, protein, and ash contents was directly proportional to the increase in infestation level and time, contrary to the depletion of carbohydrates and total weight loss. The results of CO2 treatment indicated that pupa was the most resilient stage as compared with larvae and adult stage. The observed susceptibility order was as follows: adult > larvae > pupae. The maximum mortality of adult, larval, and pupal stages was recorded after 24, 48, and 72h of CO2 application, respectively. These findings might be helpful to develop an ecofriendly technique to manage this crucial pest.

The susceptibility of animal feed containing Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation

Understanding the susceptibility of commercially available animal feeds which contain Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS) to insect infestation is the first step in developing a pest management strategy for a stored product. This study is a nascent analysis of animal feed containing DDGS susceptibility to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation, one of the most important post-harvest insect pests world-wide. Three types of animal feed containing 5–10% DDGS in their formula mixtures were obtained from two feed manufacturers in Indiana, USA including: crumbled poultry feed, pelletized juvenile frog feed, and pelletized adult frog feed. Besides commercially available animal feed, laboratory manufactured feed were simulated by mixing Flour/Yeast (F/Y), T. castaneum normal laboratory diet, with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 80% DDGS (% based on weight). Larval developmental time was used to evaluate feed susceptibility to T. castaneum infestation. The T. castaneum larval period was significantly increased when fed on pelletized adult frog feed, pelletized juvenile frog feed, and crumbled poultry feed (29.8 ± 0.5, 26.0 ± 0.3, and 21.9 ± 0.3 d respectively), compared with F/Y (16.1 ± 0.3 d). The larval period was significantly decreased however, when fed on ground poultry feed (15.5 ± 0.2 d). Insect development on laboratory manufactured feeds was similar to F/Y regardless of DDGS ratios added in this study (15.9–16.9 d). These results suggested that first; particle size (PS) was one of the influential factors on susceptibility of commercially available animal feed to T. castaneum apart from feed chemical composition, and second, adding 10–80% DDGS to the laboratory manufactured feed did not change feed susceptibility to T. castaneum infestation.

Effectiveness of carbon dioxide against different developmental stages of Cadra cautella and Tribolium castaneum

Methyl bromide is an excellent fumigant but has been banned because it has high potential for depleting the ozone layer which leads to many environmental and human health hazard issues. In this connection, effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2, 99.9%) was studied as an alternative to methyl bromide under various exposure timings, 25±1°C, against different developmental stages of the almond moth, Cadra cautella, and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. In case of C. cautella, the LT99 against adult, pupa, and larval stages was achieved after 37.5, 78.1, and 99.9h of CO2 application, respectively. While for T. castaneum, the LT99 values were obtained after exposure timings of 29.3, 153.9, and 78.4h against adult, pupa, and larval stages, respectively. Adults were very susceptible; in contrast, pupae and larvae were more tolerant. The susceptibility order was observed as follows: T. castaneum adult > C. cautella adult > C. cautella pupae > T. castaneum larvae > C. cautella larvae > T. castaneum pupae. This study could be useful in developing the management strategies to prevent stored dates from C. cautella and T. castaneum infestation.

Investigating Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles vulnerability to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation by using choice and no-choice experiments

Demand for Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS) in international markets and the United States has increased during the past few years. Knowledge of DDGS supplemented animal feed vulnerability to insect infestation is critical for safe feed storage. To assess this vulnerability, it is necessary to know how DDGS is susceptible to insect infestation, while stored as raw ingredient. This research focused on the susceptibility of different types of DDGS (raw and ground) to red flour beetle, T. castaneum, infestation under 30% and 50% relative humidity (r.h.) regimes. Larval period at 30% r.h. increased 2–3 fold on raw DDGS diets with larger particle sizes (PSs) compared with their normal laboratory diet, a mixture of flour and yeast (9:1) (F/Y). However, grinding DDGS samples and increasing the r.h. to 50% decreased the amount of time required for insect development thus increasing DDGS vulnerability to T. castaneum infestation compared with raw DDGS at r.h. of 30%. As was expected, T. castaneum egg and pupal development were not affected by diet or humidity. The results suggested that DDGS as a raw ingredient at 30% r.h. was not a suitable food source for T. castaneum and given a choice, the majority of T. castaneum adults prefer laboratory diet over DDGS. Additionally, fecundity was significantly lower on DDGS compared with the control diets (F/Y and ground corn (GCORN)). These results indicated that these types of DDGS were not suitable developmental diets compared with the F/Y diet if stored at 30% r.h. with larger PSs.

Responses of &lt;i&gt;T&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;ribolium&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt; C&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;astaneum&lt;/i&gt; (Herbst.) (Colleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to Coloured Polyethylene Films in Storage of &lt;i&gt;M&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;usa&lt;/i&gt; Chips

Problems associated with synthetic pesticides have necessitated the search for an alternative pest control method. The effect of six coloured polyethylene films on Tribolium castaneum infestation on stored chips was studied in the Laboratory, from February to May, 2012. Three Musa spp (Agbagba, Obino’l ewai and cooking banana) were used. Dried chips (20 g) of each Musa spp were weighed into six different coloured perforated polyethylene bags (blue, red, yellow, green, black, and transparent) after further drying to constant moisture content in the oven. Ten adult beetles, comprising 5 males and 5 females were introduced into each bag tightly closed using rubber band. The experiment was a 6 × 3 factorial (6 colours polyethylene films by 3 Musa spp) laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results showed that there were significant differences amongst the three Musa species on the survival, progeny production and damage caused by T. castaneum. Survival counts of adult T. castaneum on chips stored in various coloured polyethylene bags within the period of 21 days did not differ significantly from one another. Generally all the coloured films reduced the abundance of T. castaneum on chips more than the colourless (transparent) films. Red coloured polybags significantly reduced beetles infestations and retained the highest weight of chips up to three months after infestation. Damage on chips stored in red coloured bags was significantly lower than those of yellow, green and transparent colours but did not differ with those of blue and black. Chips stored in transparent bags had the highest number of beetles and sustained the highest damage than other coloured polybags.

Insecticidal Effects of Tephrosia. vogelii Hook (Leguminosae) Leaf Powder and Extracts on Sitophilus zeamais Motsch, Callosobruchus macuIatus F. and Tribolium castaneum Herbst.

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to investigate the effects of the powder, aqueous and ethanol extracts of Tephrosia vogelii Hook leaf on Sitophilus zeamais Motsch (Curculionidae), Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Bruchidae) and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Tenebrionidae) in the laboratory at 30 ± 1 -c and 70 ± 2 % RH. Mortality data were recorded and probit analysis run to determine the toxicity of the various formulations. The results showed that the extracts were more toxic to each of the test insect species than the leaf powder. The LC50 values obtained for the powder were 10.13 g/kg for C. maculatus; 19.82 g/kg for S. zeamais and 6.85 g/kg for T castaneum. The LC50 values obtained for the ethanol extract were 0.037 g/L for C. maculatus, 0.071 g/L for S. zeamais and 0.08 g/L for T castaneum while for the aqueous extract the LCso values were 1.209 g/L for C. maculatus, 0.744 g/L for S. zeamais and 2.025 g/L for T. castaneum. C. maculatus was the most susceptible of the three test insect species to the ethanol extract. The results indicate that T. vogelii leaf products could be used to protect cowpea, maize or groundnut against C. maculatus, S. zeamais and T. castaneum infestation during storage.

Susceptibility of seeds and flour from local wheat cultivars to Tribolium castaneum infestation in storage

AbstractAdult survival and progeny development of T. castaneum in whole and broken grains and whole and polished flour derived from ten local cultivars of wheat varied. Survival of parental adult beetles was significantly lower in whole than in broken grains or flour. Progeny development was greater in broken than in whole grains and in polished than in whole flour. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd

Assessment of dry matter loss and frass production in cereal grain due to successive attack by Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Local West African strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) were placed in 200 g of wheat samples, one species after the other, during 6 weeks. The rate of infestation for S. oryzae was 6,12,24 or 48 pairs of adults, while it was fixed to 20 for T. castaneum. The generation of S. oryzae was killed by fumigation before T. castaneum infestation of the grain samples. The loss in dry weight and the frass production were recorded at the end of each rearing period of time for each species.

Effect of Tribolium castaneum Infestation on Fat Acidity, Seed Germination, and Microflora of Stored Wheat1

Tribolium castaneum infestation of stored wheat led to significant increases in fat acidity (FAV) and decreases in germination and microfloral levels. The FAV increased with time regardless of insect activity, although the resulting alteration of the composition of both the microflora and cereal substrate led to a more rapid FAV increase. The total microbial spore count sharply increased after 8 wk of storage. The insects appeared to inhibit fungal growth and decreased the spore count. The level of wheat infection by Aspergillus spp. (A. glaucus group, A. fiavus) and Penicillium spp. decreased between 8 and 12 wk storage, possibly because of bacterial growth. Seed germination decreased steadily during 18 wk. Because of the destruction of the germ by insect feeding, insect-infested wheat underwent rapid germination loss.

Assessment of non-uniform malathion distribution for insect control in a commercial wheat silo

Experimental (non-uniform) and conventional malathion treatments of wheat, stored in 2000 tonne vertical steel bins were compared. For the experimental treatment, grain pretreated with malathion at 750–800 ppm was added to an untreated grain stream during inloading of a silo, so that pretreated grain comprised about 1% of the bulk. Conventional treatment consisted of continuous spraying of a similar grain stream with an emulsion of malathion. Mean overall malathion levels of approximately 5–6 ppm were obtained in both silos. Distribution of insecticide in the two treatments was compared by assaying groups of 25 grains taken from each bin. Significantly increased non-uniformity of distribution of insecticide was found in the experimental treatment which was considered to account for the greater persistence of malathion residues. Bioassays to indicate the potential of adult Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) to develop infestations were conducted on wheat from the experimental and conventional treatments throughout their respective 10 and 8 months storage periods. Results indicated effective suppression of T. castaneum infestation throughout the storage periods in both silos. After 6 months storage, the conventional treatment did not prevent infestation by S. oryzae , whereas the experimental treatment remained effective throughout the 10 months storage period; suggesting that the proposed method has the economic advantage of eliminating retreatment.