FLIGHT OF STORED PRODUCTS BEETLES OVER A GRAIN FARMING AREA IN SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

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Abstract
Three surveys were carried out to determine the extent of migration in a grain farming area by 4 stored products beetles: Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the Cryptolestes spp. group. Two involved the use of sticky traps and grain traps placed in farm and storage buildings and in locations distant from these buildings. The third used a vehicle mounted “truck” trap in a farming area. T. castaneum and R. dominica were the predominant migrants, being active in the field from October to May. Traps in farm buildings and central storages caught many more insects than did traps in the field. There was no clear relationship of catch with nearby infestations, except over short distances. With the truck trap, flight in the field was detected between 4 and 7 p.m. on relatively calm days and when temperature was greater than 26°C. Average density of beetles during these times was estimated as ca 52 Mm−3. These insects represent a serious potential for reinfestation of stored grain.