BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE OF STORED PRODUCT INSECTS TO LIGHT AND BAIT SOURCES IN PADDY STORAGE GODOWN

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Central Farm, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, from July to August 2021. Behavioural response of lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica, red flour beetle Tribolium spp. and Angoumois grain moth Sitotroga cerealella to different light and bait sources revealed that the incandescent light 25W was effective with R. dominica (17.08%), Tribolium spp. (9.28%) and S. cerealella (2.98%) followed by compact fluorescent light (CFL) 18W attracting R. dominica, Tribolium spp. and S. cerealella. The least trapping efficiency was observed with CFL 15W and light emitting diodes (LED) 20W lights. The behavioural response to bait when analysed revealed that maximum attraction was observed in wheat flour 41.41% followed by cracked sorghum (32.14%), sorghum flour (24.09%) and pearl millet flour (24.08%).