Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Table of an Alarming Quarantine Pest Trogoderma granarium on Stored Products

Abstract

Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is a polyphagous pest of stored products and an alarming threat to food security around the globe. The current study is designed to construct the life table of T. granarium on four stored products, i.e., wheat, barley, rice, and maize at controlled conditions (33 ± 1^°C, 65% RH, and a photoperiod of 14 : 10 (L:D) h). The incubation period of T. granarium was longer (5.13 d) on maize and shorter (4.30 d) on wheat. The developmental period of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th larval instars of T. granarium was longer on maize than the other three hosts were significant. Statistical difference between the longevity of females and males was recorded, while no statistically significant difference was found in the preoviposition period. The mean fecundity values observed on wheat, barley, rice, and maize were 31.33 ± 1.62, 26.21 ± 1.49, 28.00 ± 1.35, and 25.58 ± 1.13, respectively. The highest fertility was observed in wheat and the lowest in maize. The net reproductive rate (R₀) of T. granarium ranged from 8.66 ± 2.86, 13.16 ± 2.65, 12.53 ± 2.27, and 10.23 ± 2.32 offsprings on wheat, barley, rice, and maize, respectively. The highest gross reproductive value (GRR) was for T. granarium reared on barley (18.31 ± 4.10/d), and the lowest was for maize (15.35 ± 2.95/d). To complete the development, T. granarium took 48.97 ± 0.68 d on maize, significantly higher than on other treatments (p < 0.05). The mean generation time (T) of T. granarium was considerably affected by tested products. Based on the results of the present study, maize is a less favorable diet for the development and reproduction of T. granarium and may be considered for the management of this detrimental pest.