Isolation and identification of fungal growth on Tribolium castaneum in stored wheat flour

Abstract

Stored wheat flour samples purchased from Jazan local markets in Saudi Arabia were checked for the presence of pests, insect and fungal species. The insects existing in the flour were separated and identified as red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and from 60 individuals (dead bodies) inspected, 17 individuals exhibited abnormal deformation, decomposition and or superficial fungal growths. Incubation of the dead insects' bodies resulted in emergence of fungal growth on the surface of these bodies. Nine fungal species that belonged to eight fungal genera were isolated. Results indicate that Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii were the most dominant fungi among those isolated from T. castaneum growing in flour followed by Sporothrix sp., Hirsutella versicolor, Granulomanus sp., modern Rhizoctonia solani, Moelleriella sp., Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus.