INFRARED THERMAL IMAGING AS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR EARLY DETECTION INFESTATION OF STORED PRODUCT INSECTS IN CERTAIN STORED GRAINS

1 Plant Protection Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt 2 Agricultural Research Station, Barley Research Dept., Ismailia, Egypt ABSTRACT. Grains of field crops, such as wheat, maize, faba bean and white bean, are considered strategic food for humanity worldwide and Egypt. Unfortunately, percent losses of grains quantity may reach to 15-30%, as a result of stored product insect damage, and the losses increased dramatically in the last years, as an outcome of quickly productions of these pests. Experiments were conducted on infrared thermal imaging that demonstrate early detection of infestation by stored product insects in wheat, maize, broad bean, white bean and bean grains. The imaging is dependent on subtle significant differences in temperature between infested and healthy grains. Because the thermal imaging data are digital, computer programs can be used to analysis differences in temperature and mining figures explained for that. Results revealed that the use of thermal imaging offers an alternative method to detect an insect infestation. Data concluded that thermal imaging has the potential to identify whether the grains of crops that tested are infested or not, but is less effective in identifying which developmental stage is present. Moreover, it could apply this technique easily on a large scale in silos, storage, mills and granaries without negative impact on quality of stored grains.