The frequency of Cryptolestes spp. in grain in south-east Queensland

Abstract

In a survey of 60 grain farms on the Darling Downs, Queensland, during 1977-78, the flat grain beetles Cryptolestes spp., which are germ feeders in stored grains, were found on 39 of the farms and in 15% of the 483 samples taken. Ninety percent of infestations involving Cryptolestes spp. were found in bag or bulk stores of seed and feed grain, where they were usually associated with heavy infestations of the three more common stored grain pests, the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.), the lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbest.). Three species of Cryptolestes were detected: C. pusillus (Schonherr) (45.6% of farms surveyed), C. ferrugineus (Steph.) (28.1 %), and C. pusilloides (Steel and Howe) (15.8%). During the farm survey, samples were also collected from 8 of the 11 central storages reported infested with Cryptolestes spp. C. ferrugineus was present in each of these samples, C. pusillus in only one, whilst C. pusilloides was not found. The three species were tested for resistance to malathion and fenitrothion, the most commonly used grain-protectant chemicals, by exposing adults to treated wheat. C. pusillus and C. pusilloides were susceptible to both malathion and fenitrothion (LC99.9 < 1 mg kg-1). C. ferrugineus, whilst susceptible to fenitrothion (LC99.9 < 1 mg kg-1) was resistant to malathion, with LC99.9 of 300-400 mg kg-1 compared with the recommended dose of 18 mg kg -1. Although C. pusillus was the most common species on farms, it was concluded that C. ferrugineus was the most important overall because it is biologically better suited to the grain in central storages, which is typically hot (>30¦C) and of low moisture content (< 12% for wheat).