Durable Commodities Research Articles

Sex-linked differences in semiochemical-mediated movement by Trogoderma variabile Ballion and Trogoderma inclusum LeConte (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) after exposure to long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting

Stored product insects are highly mobile and present in the landscape and can disperse by tracking odors of food and pheromones. A novel preventative integrated pest management (IPM) tactic to intercept dispersing insects of durable commodities (e.g., packaged goods, flour, bulk commodities), is a long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting (LLIN) containing 0.4% deltamethrin. However, it is unknown how exposure to the deltamethrin-based LLIN (LLIN hereafter) may affect olfaction and orientation to important semiochemicals by stored product insects. In this study, our aims were to evaluate whether exposure to LLIN affected male and female (or mixed sex) populations of Trogoderma variabile and T. inclusum movement in the presence of important semiochemicals, including food kairomones and pheromones, including the major sex pheromone for Trogoderma spp. (e.g., (Z)-14-methyl-8-hexedecenal). We evaluated this with a video-tracking protocol and confirmed volatile emissions with headspace collection coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Disruption in movement in this study is taken to mean a significant upregulation or downregulation in response compared to our netting without active ingredient (control). Distance moved increased 4–6-fold in T. variabile after exposure to LLIN compared to control netting, while it was reduced by a third to a half in T. inclusum. Overall, out of 40 possible olfactory and taxis patterns which could be disrupted, exposure to LLIN interrupted 68–73% of these in T. inclusum and T. variabile, respectively, compared to control netting-exposed individuals. Pheromonal stimuli were more important for males, but food and pheromones were equally important for females. Our research suggests the use of LLIN may enhance the effectiveness of other behaviorally-based management strategies when used as part of a comprehensive IPM program for these short-lived adults.

Disruption of semiochemical-mediated movement by the immature Trogoderma variabile Baillon and Trogoderma inclusum Le Conte (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) after exposure to long-lasting insecticide-incorporatednetting.

Highly mobile stored product insects may be able to readily orient in response to food cues and pheromones to attack durable commodities at each link of the postharvest supply chain. A 0.4% deltamethrin-incorporated long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting (LLIN) is a successful novel preventative integrated pest management (IPM) tactic to intercept dispersing insects after harvest. However, it is unknown whether exposure to LLIN may affect olfaction and orientation to important semiochemicals by immature stored product dermestids, therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to LLIN disrupts the normal olfactory and chemotactic behavior of warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), and the larger cabinet beetle, T. inclusum Le Conte (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), larval movement in the presence of important semiochemicals, including food kairomones (e.g., flour) and pheromones, e.g., (Z)-14-methyl-8-hexadecenal. The distance moved by the larval population of T. variabile was reduced by 64% after 24-h exposure to LLIN compared to control netting but not immediately after exposure, while T. inclusum larvae movement was reduced by 50% after 24-h exposure to LLIN compared to the control netting. Generally, the olfaction and orientation of larval dermestids were affected after exposure to LLIN compared to control netting. There were species-linked differences in effects on olfaction after the insects were exposed to LLIN. Our study suggests the use of LLIN may enhance the effectiveness of other concurrent behaviorally-based strategies such as mating disruption when used as part of a comprehensive IPM program in the postharvest environment. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Apiaceae essential oil nanoemulsions as effective wheat protectants against five arthropod pests

The essential oils (EOs) produced by a number of Apiaceae species are well known for their insecticidal efficacy against a wide spectrum of insects, including vectors, stored product and agricultural pests. In the real world, rawly formulated EOs are scarcely effective due to their low chemical stability, limited persistence into the environment, and poor hydrophilicity. Therefore, for practical applications they need to be encapsulated using nanocarriers. In the present study, we evaluated two novel EO-based nanoemulsions (NEs) derived from Pimpinella anisum and Trachyspermun ammi, two plants with documented insecticidal effectiveness, for the management of stored product insects causing economic damages, including Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Tenebrio molitor, Trogoderma granarium adults or larvae, and Acarus siro adults or nymphs. The NEs were prepared by a high-pressure homogenization procedure and determined according to the distribution of particle size through dynamic light scattering. Pimpinella anisum EO resulted mainly dominated by the phenylpropanoid (E)-anethole, while T. ammi EO was mainly composed of thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene. Each EO-based NE was tested at two concentrations (500 and 1000 ppm) on stored wheat. We evaluated mortality values of the arthropod pests after 4 h, 8 h, and 16 h, and daily from 1 to 7 days. Complete mortality was achieved for T. castaneum larvae on wheat sprayed with 1000 ppm of 4% (w/w) P. anisum EO-based NE after 6 days of exposure. Similarly, the 8% (w/w) T. ammi EO-based NE killed 100.0% of the tested T. confusum larvae after 7 days to 1000 ppm. When A. siro adults were exposed to 1000 ppm of the 8% (w/w) T. ammi EO-based NE, 89.4% of the tested individuals were killed after 7 days. Binary EO-based NE combination toxicity tests were also carried out. Almost all T. molitor adults (97.8%) died after 7 days to 1000 ppm of 3% (w/w) T. ammi + 3% (w/w) P. anisum EO-based NE. The 3% (w/w) T. ammi + 3% (w/w) P. anisum EO-based NE killed 98.6% of T. granarium adults after 7 days at 1000 ppm. Overall, the tested Apiaceae EO-based NEs exhibited relevant pesticidal efficacy under short exposure intervals, therefore they could be taken into account as auxiliary management tools towards the sustainable protection of durable commodities in storages.

Response of phosphine-resistant and –susceptible Lasioderma serricorne adults to different light spectra

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the behavior of adults belonging to two different populations of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), one resistant and one susceptible to phosphine, towards specific LED light stimuli. This was done in conjunction with other factors, such as sex and mating, as well as the presence or absence of food. For this purpose, LED lights with wavelength of 400 nm (ultraviolet, UV), 460 nm (blue), 505 nm (green) and 660 nm (red) were incorporated in a structure made of transparent acrylic plastic, which served as an arena, while the response of the adults to the visual cues was recorded 24 h after their release. The attractiveness of the UV light was consistently higher than the other spectra, regardless of the population, sex, mating status and the presence of food. We observed that the unmated males of the susceptible population showed a stronger flight response towards UV light compared with the unmated females that had responded to a lower degree, regardless of the presence of food. When mated adults of both sexes were released together in the arena, both populations had similar responses towards the light colors. Considering our findings, for the vast majority of the parameters tested, the natural behavioral variation in photo-attraction was not affected by phosphine resistance. The evaluation of the phototactic responses in L. serricorne is of major importance, as light and pheromone traps for monitoring of the activity of this species have been widely adopted globally in different types of storage and processing facilities of durable commodities.

Lost and Found at Sea, or a Shipwreck’s Art History

To be lost and found at sea: What kinds of thinking does the shipwreck prompt? This essay pursues this question by centering fragmented remains—large beeswax blocks and Chinese porcelain ware—from the Santo Cristo de Burgos, a Spanish galleon lost while traveling from Manila to Acapulco at the end of the seventeenth century. By considering how durable commodities were recovered and reimagined, primarily by Indigenous inhabi­tants of the Oregon coast, this essay reflects upon the kinds of histories that can be written around and because of wrecked ships. Tacking between past and present, we use the Santo Cristo de Burgos to draw out the lineaments of a shipwreck’s art history, bringing into focus three interrelated themes, each critical to the material histories of wrecks: the interpretive recalcitrance of cargo, the reframing of value through recovery, and the production of material surplus in the watery depths.

Delayed mortality, resistance and the sweet spot, as the good, the bad and the ugly in phosphine use

Phosphine is the most commonly used gas for fumigation for durable commodities globally, but there is still inadequate information regarding its efficacy in conjunction with proper concentration monitoring. In a series of bioassays, insect mortality after specific exposure intervals to phosphine in selected species was examined, as well as the appearance of the so called "sweet spot". The species that were tested were: Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) with populations that had different levels of phosphine resistance. Evaluation was conducted by using the Phosphine Tolerance Test (PTT), with exposure of the adult stage for 15, 30, 60, 90, 150 and 300 min at 3000 ppm. At the end of these intervals (separate bioassays for each time interval), the insects were transferred to Petri dishes, in which recovery was recorded at different time intervals (2 h, 1, 2 and 7 days). The majority of susceptible populations of all species were instantly immobilized even in the shortest exposure period (15 min), in contrast with resistant populations that were active even after 300 min. After exposure to phosphine, populations and exposure time affected mortality of susceptible populations, whereas resistant populations recovered regardless of species and exposure time. Additional bioassays at the concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm for 1, 3, 5, 20, 30 and 40 h showed the presence of the "sweet spot", i.e., decrease of mortality with the increase of concentration. In fact, for most of the tested species, the "sweet spot" appeared in 1000 and 2000 ppm at a 5-h exposure time, regardless of the level of resistance to phosphine. This observation is particularly important both in terms of the assessment of resistance and in the context of non-linear recovery at elevated concentrations, indicating the occurrence of strong hormetic reversals in phosphine efficacy.

Sulfuryl fluoride as a methyl bromide alternative for fumigation of Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae), major pests of animal-based stored products

Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) has been registered in many countries for stored product applications as an alternative to other fumigants, especially methyl bromide (MB). Research was conducted to establish SF fumigation protocols for the mortality of pests infesting post-harvest durable commodities. The efficacy of SF against two major arthropod pests of southern dry-cured hams, the red-legged ham beetle, Necrobia rufipes, and the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, was investigated. SF caused significant mortality in ham beetles but not for ham mites when treated for 48 h at 23 °C. Eggs of N. rufipes were more tolerant to SF than other stages fumigated. In addition, early aged (1–2 d old) eggs of N. rufipes were more susceptible to SF than late-aged (4–5 d old) eggs. Furthermore, SF fumigation led to 100% control of larvae, pupae and adults of N. rufipes by 8 g/m3 while the eggs required 20.88–24.72 g/m3 to prevent 100% hatch. However, T. putrescentiae showed high tolerance to SF as it survived concentration-time products in excess of the standard label limit 1500 g h/m3. SF studies also revealed that the eggs of T. putrescentiae were several fold more tolerant than that of the mobile stage, the nymphs and adults. SF trials under pilot-scale commercial conditions were also carried out that further supported the efficacy of SF for red-legged ham beetles but not for the ham mite. SF may not be suitable for managing ham mites based on work to date, but future work could investigate longer exposure times at higher temperatures.

Efficacy of sensor assisted vacuum hermetic storage against chemical fumigated wheat

Alternatives to chemical fumigation, are being explored as the popular fumigants like methyl bromide and phosphine are being phased out for their ozone depleting nature and insect resistance, respectively. Vacuum hermetic storage has potential for storage of agricultural durable commodities without fumigants and can eliminate 99% of insect infestation. In present research, the vacuum hermetic storage was tested in field with assistance of sensors and compared with the conventional phosphine fumigated storage by grain quality assessment and interstitial atmosphere for six months. Relative humidity of the hermetic bags remained below 25%, whereas temperature followed the same pattern as of the ambient. Germination percentage, thousand kernel weight and besatz content did not change significantly (p > 0.05), whereas mould count and moisture content reduced over the storage time compared wheat stored in metal bin.

Monopolistic supply management in world metals markets: How large was Mount Isa?

Standard arguments suggest that mining companies lack sufficient market share to allow profitable exercise of monopoly power. However, low production and consumption elasticities can lead to prices being very sensitive to small supply disruptions. Metals are durable commodities. Supply from stock can offset the impacts of low elasticities in the short run but stocks also prolong the impact of any supply restriction. The interaction between storage and low elasticities can confer pricing power on a producer with a modest market share. I illustrate by looking at Glencore’s “disciplined” supply response when, in October 2015, the company announced a 30% cutback in zinc production. The zinc price more than doubled over the two subsequent years.

Efficiency of cardboard solar heater boxes for disinfestations of stored grains against arthropod pest

Abstract. The solar heater box is a modest technology that enables easy collection and retention of solar radiation as heat at levels lethal to stored product arthropod pest inside the box. This study was designed to construct solar heater boxes of appreciable capacities to hold large quantities of grains, assess their heat-trapping efficiency and the influence of beans quantity and exposure time on same. Solar heater boxes of five different sizes were constructed for this study. Their heat-trapping capacity was evaluated by exposure to the sunlight for 5h. The influence of bean quantity and exposure on heat capture capabilities of the best performing solar heater box was evaluated using five different quantities of cocoa beans (9, 12, 15, 18 and 21kg) for 2h of exposure period. The result for heat trapping capacity shows that the largest solar heater box trapped the highest mean between and within bean temperatures (69.38±4.97 and 69.45±3.97C, respectively) in 5h of exposure time. The result of the experiment on the effect of bean quantity and exposure time on heat-trapping efficiency show the highest temperature was obtained at 120min exposure time using 9kg of cocoa beans for both between and within bean temperature (70.00±0.73 and 71.23±0.85oC, respectively). The implications of these findings in applying this technology for stored product arthropods pest management on durable commodities were discussed.

Evaluation of a small-scale desiccant-based drying system to control corn dryness during storage

Approximately 4.5 billion people worldwide are negatively affected by mycotoxins, especially small-scale farmers in regions that do not have access to energy efficient and appropriately designed drying systems. Mycotoxins are produced by fungi tainting durable commodities (e.g. corn and rice), which have been inadequately dehydrated and stored. Controlling produce dryness to below 0.6 water activity (Aw) is an imperative factor to maintain their safety and quality. Unfortunately, there is a lack of inexpensive, small-scale (<15 kg) technologies to adequately dry and store durable commodities. A potential solution is to utilize small-scale desiccant-based drying systems to reduce and then maintain the optimum Aw and dry basis moisture content (MD). Desiccants, like hygroscopic salts and DryBeadsTM, can be used to remove the moisture from surrounding commodities and potentially maintain conditions during storage. For small-scale applications, it is important to keep the design low-cost and energy efficient. Utilizing corn (Zea mays) as a model product, the current study aims to evaluate a small-scale desiccant drying system consisting of two stacked 18.9 L (5 gallon) buckets equipped with a centered 51 mm diameter acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) pipe to support a fan (102 mm × 102 mm × 25 mm) to circulate air (mean air-flow = 0.015 m3-s −1, 31.8 cfm). Potassium carbonate (K2CO3), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium iodide (NaI), and DryBeadsTM were compared against an untreated control in their ability to reduce the Aw below 0.6 and hold it over 14 days of storage without over-drying the corn. The small-scale desiccant system combined 0.73 kg of each desiccant and 9 kg of corn with an initial MD of 19.6% (dry basis). Twelve 50 g corn samples contained in mesh bags were distributed at three levels (top, middle, and bottom) within each bucket to later infer the corn’s final MD and Aw. In addition, temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH) at the three levels were recorded each hour with T/RH sensors. Results indicated that all of the evaluated desiccants significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the corn’s Aw below 0.6, in comparison to the untreated control, after 14 days of drying/storage.

The significance of vapor pressure in quality preservation of stored commodities under gastight conditions

While investigating the preservation of the aroma of various spices we compared the effects of hermetic conditions, vacuum and carbon dioxide versus aerated storage. The quality of the tested spices stored under hermetic conditions was comparable to those stored in vacuum after 120 d of storage. At a given temperature, a substance with higher vapor pressure vaporizes more readily than a substance with a lower vapor pressure. Throughout the investigation on specialty coffee, the volatility was evaluated as particularly important because coffee taste and aroma are influenced by compounds that are volatile. We hypothesize that hermetic storage reduces the rate of the volatiles to spread to the atmosphere. Dry food commodities can be stored for extended periods, provided there is no insect infestation and their water activity is low enough to prevent microbial growth. However, in aerated storages quantitative and qualitative losses still occur. If the moisture content is maintained sufficiently low, insects and quality loss remain the main concern for the quality preservation of durable agricultural commodities. Although in hermetic storage, the major emphasis is placed on the control of insect pests, for quality preservation just maintaining the vapor pressure in the sealed structure is sufficient. Quality preservation under hermetic conditions remains an aspect that deserves more attention. This characteristic of hermetic storage is the tendency to maintain within the hermetic structure the substances that have the ability to vaporize.

Health Hazards Associated with Arthropod Infestation of Stored Products.

Insects and mites are common inhabitants and accidental invaders of food, including durable commodities, and their presence can have both direct and indirect effects on human health. The most common direct effect is contamination of food with arthropod fragments and related contaminants, which may be allergenic or even carcinogenic. The most important indirect effect is that their presence can change the storage microenvironment, making durable products suitable for the rapid development of fungi and other microorganisms. Some of these fungi can produce toxins (e.g., aflatoxins) that endanger human health. Insects may actively or passively contribute to the spread of microorganisms, increasing product contamination, and they may host bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance, contributing to their spread in food. Several species also may host, attract, or transmit tapeworms, predators, or parasitoids that may affect health. This review synthesizes research on these topics and suggests directions for future research.

Use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of stored-product insects: can fungi protect durable commodities?

Entomopathogenic fungi are considered promising microbial control agents for the control of post-harvest insects, and their evaluation for this purpose has lately attracted a significant amount of research. They are naturally occurring, environmentally safe organisms that infect insects by contact. Insect fungal pathogens have a broad spectrum of hosts, can be mass-produced easily, rapidly and economically and can be applied with the same technical means as conventional contact insecticides. In this context, the most studied fungal species for the control of stored-product insect species are Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Both fungal species have a wide host range and have been tested against most of the major stored-product insect pests. The effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the virulence and success of entomopathogenic fungi in storage insect control, as well as the combined application of these agents with other pest control technologies, is reviewed here. Temperature and relative humidity influence the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi, often with variable results, whereas the combined use of entomopathogenic fungi with diatomaceous earth in many cases has a synergistic or additive effect. Alternative methods of entomopathogenic fungi application, based on the lure-and-kill approach, are proposed, and future challenges for the use of entomopathogenic fungi against stored-product insects are highlighted.

Eating Three Times a Day

Abstract In poor countries, the burgeoning middle-class population, people who eat three times a day1, is placing profound worldwide price pressure on food and natural resources. This keynote address examines the implications of the boom in middle-class population on the world economy and innovation. Where not long ago food production was aplenty and the problem was distribution, today growing middle-class demand on food production has prices of food staples such as wheat and corn, and their derivatives, inflating. This follows the trend in the growth of prices of natural resources and durable commodities emanating from economic globalization and the building of infrastructure. This keynote address examines the five prices that are in play in the global economy and a brief perspective through the supply chain window. The address also examines implications of the middle-class boom and the additional importance this places on innovation, particularly in three areas of economic structure.

Evaluation of the mortality of two stored-product insects by garlic emulsion (Sirinol) in combination with low air pressure

Although, there are a large number of suggested potential alternatives to methyl bromide for disinfestations of durable commodities, development alternatives are likely to be costly. The combined factors of methyl bromide phase-out, the gradual development of insect resistance to fumigants and undesirable effects of some fumigants residues in foodstuff, have led to the idea of using controlled atmosphere. In this research, adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) were exposed to various air pressures (first phase) and air pressures together with 150 µL/L Sirinol (second phase) at 27 ± 2°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in various durations and mortality rates were determined. Complete mortality of T. castaneum adults was obtained within 1, 3 and 6 h when were subjected to 10, 30 and 50 mmHg, respectively. Adults of R. dominica showed 96.25 and 60% mortality during 3 and 10 h when exposed to 10 and 30 mmHg, respectively. It was revealed that by using 150 µL/L Sirinol in pressure of 50 mmHg for 4 h, mortality rates exceed 86.25 and 42.5% for adults of T. castaneum and R. dominica , respectively. Mortality percentage of the insects which were treated with Sirinol was more than the cohorts that were under vacuum conditions without any Sirinol treatment. Ultimately, data analysis showed that T. castaneum adults are noticeably susceptible to low air pressure and the combination of low air pressure and Sirinol.

Response of Postharvest Tree Nut Lepidopteran Pests to Vacuum Treatments

Industry concerns over insect resistance, regulatory action, and the needs of organic processors have renewed interest in nonchemical alternative postharvest treatments to fumigants used for California tree nuts. The development of inexpensive polyvinyl chloride containers capable of holding low pressures has increased the practicality of vacuum treatments for durable commodities such as tree nuts. To develop vacuum treatment protocols, we determined the relative tolerance to vacuum (50 mmHg) at 25 and 30 degrees C of different life stages of three postharvest pests of tree nuts: codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), and Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). At both temperatures, nondiapausing codling moth larvae were the least tolerant stage tested. LT95 values for diapausing Indianmeal moth larvae were similar to Indianmeal moth eggs at both temperatures. Indianmeal moth diapausing larvae and eggs were the most tolerant at 25 degrees C, whereas navel orangeworm eggs were most tolerant at 30 degrees C. Field tests using GrainPro Cocoons (GrainPro, Inc., Concord, MA) to treat shelled almonds, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb, in bins at vacuum levels of 18-43 mmHg at average winter temperatures (6-10 degrees C) showed that diapausing codling moth larvae were the most tolerant under these conditions and that exposures of 7-13 d provided incomplete control. Summer field tests treating in-shell almonds in bags at average temperatures of 25-30 degrees C provided complete control with 48 h exposure to average vacuum levels of 50 mmHg, and navel orangeworm eggs were the most tolerant stage.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) as an alternative measure for controlling ten pests that attack processed food products

Modified atmospheres based on high carbon dioxide (CO 2) content offer an alternative to fumigation for arthropod pest control in durable commodities. The present study aimed to establish the efficacy of using modified atmospheres during packaging (MAP) to control a wide spectrum of pests and their respective developmental stages that affect final food products during storage and commercialization. Two high (50% and 90%) CO 2 MAPs were applied to identify the pest species and developmental stages that were most tolerant to treatments. Standard food diets containing eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of Lasioderma serricorne, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, Ephestia kuehniella, Plodia interpunctella, Liposcelis bostrychophila and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were confined in sealed plastic bags filled with the two MAPs. The pest species and developmental stages showed different sensitivity to the two MAP treatments. The beetles S. oryzae, R. dominica, C. ferrugineus and L. serricorne were among the most tolerant species as pupae or eggs. The mite T. putrescentiae was also highly tolerant. Moths were easier to kill than the other species tested. Our results confirmed that MAP could be applied to final food products during packaging to control the residual occurrence of pests after the manufacturing process and to prevent further infestation in the final packages reaching consumers.

A Review of Stored-Product Entomology Information Sources

The field of stored-product entomology deals with insect pests of raw and processed cereals, pulses, seeds, spices, dried fruit and nuts, and other dry, durable commodities. These pests cause significant quantitative and qualitative losses to the multibillion dollar grain, food, and retail industries each year through their feeding, product adulteration, customer complaints, product rejection at the time of sale, and cost associated with their management. The reduction in the number of stored-product entomologists at a time when regulations are reducing the number of chemicals available to manage stored-product insect pests is making full use of the literature on stored-product insects more important. Use of nonchemical and reduced-risk pest management methods requires a greater understanding of pest biology, behavior, ecology, and susceptibility to pest management methods. Stored-product entomology courses have been or are currently offered at land grant universities in four states in the United States and in at least nine other countries. Stored-product and urban entomology books cover the largest total numbers of stored-product insect species (100–160 and 24–120, respectively); economic entomology books (17–34), and popular articles or extension Web sites (29–52) cover fewer numbers of stored-product insect species. A review of 582 popular articles, 182 extension bulletins, and 226 extension Web sites showed that some aspects of stored-product entomology are covered better than others. For example, articles and Web sites on trapping (4.6%) and detection (3.3%) were more common than those on sampling commodities (0.6%). Natural enemies and biological control together were the subjects of only 2.6% of articles and Web sites. Locating and eliminating the source populations may be one of the least expensive and most productive components of an insect pest management program, yet sources of insect infestations were the subject of only 1.2% of articles and Web sites. Insect biology is often oversimplified in popular articles and Web sites; for example, developmental times are often characterized by a single number giving the typical number of days required to complete development from egg to adult, instead of describing how developmental times vary with temperature. Literature is available on the effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the developmental times of 106 species of stored-product insects. This article provides insights into the extent to which stored-product insects are covered in entomology books, entomology courses, popular articles, and extension bulletins and Web sites. Stored-product entomology books and courses are important because the coverage of stored-product insects is limited in urban and other entomology books and courses. In addition to failing to provide training on managing stored-product insect pests, the limited coverage of stored-product insects in many entomology books suggests to students that they are of less economic importance than is the case. We hope that this paper will encourage and facilitate more extensive coverage of stored-product insects in entomology books and courses, popular literature, and Web sites to meet the pest management needs of the grain, food processing, retail, and pest management industries.

Il prodotto interno materiale lordo dell'Italia nel 2000

The paper presents a physical input-output table (PIOT), in mass units, for the Italian economy of the year 2000. The intersectoral exchanges include the withdrawal of materials from the natural bodies for the economic processes: gases for the photosynthesis and respiration, metabolic and process water, stones, minerals and fossil fuels. The production and consumption activities are analyzed in branches according, as possible, the NACE-Rev1 classification recommended at European level for the I/O tables in monetary units. The processes of production and consumption generate residuals which are disposed into the natural receiving bodies; a fraction of the durable commodities and manufacts are considered immobilized in Stocks. The total mass flow of materials through the Italian economy in 2000 has been about 6.200 million metric tons (5.841 million of metric tons in 1995). The paper suggests the measurement of a Gross Domestic Material Product, formally similar at the GDP in monetary units, that resulted for the year 2000 about 760 metric tons per million euro (in 1995: 940 metric tons per million eurolire (1995)). The preparation and analysis of an I/O table in mass units, although in aggregate form, give indications on the modifications of the natural bodies, both following the witdrawal of materials for the economy, and as receiving bodies for residuals. The PIOT's in mass units, based on the principle of mass conservation, offers, if reliable statistical informations are available, an indirect check of national monetary accounting.