THE EFFECT OF FUNGI AND MOISTURE ON THE LOCOMOTORY BEHAVIOR OF THE RUSTY GRAIN BEETLE, CRYPTOLESTES FERRUGINEUS (COLEOPTERA: CUCUJIDAE)

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Abstract
Adults of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), were placed on the surface of grain in plastic cylinders. After 48 hours records were taken of the number passing through a perforated brass screen at the bottom of the cylinders and into petri dishes containing wheat inoculated with different species of fungi. More adults were found in dishes of spoiled grain containing a mixture of fungi than in empty (control) dishes or dishes with water. The largest number were found in dishes containing Penicillium corymbiferum and the second largest number in dishes with Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium sp., and spoiled grain. The least number occurred in dishes with Streptomyces sp., uninfected wet grain, or dry grain. The response to fungi is probably induced by olfactory stimuli from volatile compounds in the fungi or by-products of fungi.