Insect Populations in Aerated and Unaerated Stored Wheat in Oklahoma

• Published in: Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 620 - 627
• Main Authors: Cuperus, G. W., Prickett, C. K., Bloome, P. D., Pitts, J. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Manhattan, KS Kansas Entomological Society 01-10-1986
• Subjects: Aeration; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied sciences; Autoecology; Beetles; Biological and medical sciences; Bostrichidae; Cryptolestes; Cucujidae; Entomology; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grains; Infestation; Insect pests; Insect reproduction; Insects; Moisture content; Moths; Other techniques and industries; Plodia interpunctella; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Pyralidae; Rhyzopertha dominica; Tenebrionidae; Tribolium; Temperature; United States; Coleoptera; Insecta; Oklahoma; Silvanidae; Population number; Stored food product; North America; Tenebrionidae; Oryzaephilus surinamensis; Aeration; Bostrychidae; Rhizopertha dominica; Arthropoda; America; Cereal; Population dynamics; Invertebrata; Tribolium
• ISSN: 0022-8567; 1937-2353

In 1982-1985, on-farm stored wheat in north central Oklahoma was sampled monthly to determine insect species present and storage practices used. Seasonal grain temperatures in aerated and unaerated grain bins were recorded. Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) was the most prevalent primary insect species found in 29.0, 37.5 and 34.4 percent of on-farm grain bins in 1982-1983, 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 storage years, respectively. Cryptolestes spp., Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), and Tribolium spp. were the most abundant secondary stored grain insect species found in Oklahoma in each storage year. Grain temperatures ranged from 35 to 38°C during June, July, and August. During September, October and November, grain temperatures ranged from 24 to 30°C, which is optimal for stored grain insect activity, and allowed all populations to reach high levels. Aeration was shown to be a feasible and effective stored grain management tool in Oklahoma. With utilization of aeration, losses from insects were greatly reduced.