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Progeny Production of Sitophilus zeamais (Motchulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on Maize Kernels


Lawrence E Wongo
Arnold N Onyango

Abstract

Rates of population growth of Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) on whole and processed forms of maize, and loss in dry weight of some of the forms of maize were determined. The forms of maize used were whole maize kernels, 10% maize grits, 100% maize grits and maize flour. The population of S. zeamais increased rapidly in whole maize kernels and 10% maize grits treatments, causing a mean loss in dry weight of 10.8% and 9.2% respectively, in 73 days. Comparatively fewer S. zeamais adult progeny were produced in the 100% maize grits treatment and in maize flour, and all adult weevils died within 2-3 weeks. The population of T. castaneum increased slowly in the whole and 10% maize grits treatments, causing only 1.48% dry matter loss in whole maize kernels during the 75-day developmental period. The population of T. castaneum increased significantly (P<0.05) in the 100% maize grits treatment than in the whole or 10% maize grits and considerably large numbers of T. castaneum adults were produced in the maize flour.

Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol.4(1) 2002: 29-37

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eISSN: 1561-7645