Comparative study of Tribolium castaneum H. (coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) occurred on different wheat varieties in Pakistan

Abstract

Five wheat varieties i.e., AASS, CHAKWAL, FARID, MIRAJ and GALAXY in Pakistan were campared to survey the red flour beetle population occurrence during one month period. Only sound grains were taken as medium of population growth for the red flour beetles. Study parameters included number of grains per unit weight, beetles population growth/survival percentage in relation to different wheat varieties and percent weight loss, if any in grains of these wheat varieties due to beetles feeding. Wheat varieties had significantly different number of grains per unit weight. Red flour beetles. population growth was checked in a 30 day time period. Beetles could not grow within the food medium of sound wheat grains of these varieties in this time span and most of these died. Survival percentage of beetles was measured in relation to different wheat varieties which did not vary significantly for these varieties. Within a given span of time percent weight loss due to beetle feeding in grains was nominal in all varieties and it also did not vary significantly between varieties. From these results it is concluded that red flour beetles being secondary stored grain insect pests were unable to multiply on sound grain wheat varieties and caused minimal weight loss in these varieties.