Fundamentals of Stored-Product Entomology

David Hagstrum

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing and AACC International Press
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781891127502
• eBook ISBN: 9780128104286
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Food Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This reference discusses the fundamentals of stored-product entomology that need to be considered in planning, implementation, and evaluation of a pest management program. It is based on the review of an extensive database of references and many years of research on stored-product insect problems by the expert authors. The information in this book helps answer consumers' concern about pesticide residues in food by providing helpful IPM and alternative approaches for pest management. It provides the basic information needed to manage pests with and without the use of chemicals.Managing pests requires a thorough understanding of insect biology, behavior, ecology, sampling, pros and cons of management options, and responses of insects to the various management options. This comprehensive book covers all of these topics, beginning with a discussion of the scope of stored-product entomology. It also provides insight into the diversity of foods and habitats utilized by stored-product insects, the types of economic losses attributable to them, and the ways in which an understanding of their biology can be used to study or manage these insects. Insect mobility, sources of insect infestation, sampling, life history, and population growth are discussed as well, as they play an important role in developing an effective sampling program. In addition, decision aids, the cost of management methods, and the resistance of insects to management methods are covered.For insight into the thought process of choosing treatment options, eight pest management methods are thoroughly described, including a statement of the basic operating principle and background information. For help choosing various chemical and nonchemical methods for diverse situations, the advantages, disadvantages and implementation options for each method are given. Students, extension educators, consultants, food industry sanitarians and managers, legislators, regulators, and insect pest management professionals are sure to find information that will help them to improve pest management.- Study questions at the end of each chapter- Suggested supplemental reading, including books, conference proceeding papers, literature reviews, research papers, government publications, and popular articles- General overview of the biology for a basic understanding of pest control issues- Guides the reader through the thought process of designing a pest control program or research study- Images of the most damaging of stored-product insect pest species for identification of families- Quick methods for distinguishing closely related stored-product insect species

Part I

Ecology and Decision Aids

Outline

Introduction to Part I: Ecology and Decision Aids

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Techniques

Chapter 3: Mobility

Chapter 4: Sources of Infestation

Chapter 5: Sampling

Chapter 6: Life History

Chapter 7: Population Growth

Chapter 8: Decision Aids

Chapter 9: Economics

Chapter 10: Resistance

Introduction to Part I: Ecology and Decision Aids

Insect pest management is applied insect ecology. Chapters 1 and 2 cover insect habitats, the influences of regulations and business practices, and methods for identifying and working with insects. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 emphasize the spatial aspects and Chapters 6 and 7 the temporal aspects of stored-product insect ecology. Decision aids (Chapter 8) include sampling information, cost-benefit analysis, consultants, expert systems, and the predictions of computer simulation models. The economics of insect pest management (Chapter 9) are important when using cost-benefit analysis. Resistance management (Chapter 10) is necessary because insect populations readily adapt and are likely to eventually become resistant to any pest management method.

Chapter 1

Introduction

Raw and processed commodities must be protected from rodents, birds, insects, mites, and microorganisms throughout the marketing system. The mobility and the ability of many stored-product insects to find and reproduce on many different foods throughout the marketing system make them particularly difficult to manage. This chapter provides an overview of the relative importance of different stored-product insect species and the types of economic losses that can be attributed to these insects. The types of regulations and business practices that can impact pest management programs for stored-product insects and the resources available for identifying stored-product insects also are covered in this chapter.

Storage habitat

Crops are harvested at the end of a growing season, and the harvested grain must be stored with minimal loss of quality until needed for human and animal consumption during the year. Grain reserves also are stored to prevent famine in years when the harvested crop is insufficient. The moisture and temperature at which the grain is stored determine its susceptibility to stored-product insects.

Traditional grain storage structures are still used in some parts of the world (see recommended reading by Reed).¹ Storage structures made of materials available locally are designed to protect grain from weather, insects, mites, fungi, rodents, and birds. Grain may be stored in the field in piles or on vertical poles for varying periods after the harvest. Underground storage in pits is among the most ancient methods still in use today. Grain may be stored in the attic over the kitchen or the living space. It is stored in boxes, baskets, jars, gourds, clay pots, jute bags, and metal drums. Unthreshed grain may be covered with a thatched roof or left uncovered when stored on horizontal poles or platforms. Larger traditional granaries are made of stone, brick, or mud.

The first step toward the development of a marketing system involved production of cash crops by subsistence farmers. As cash-crop production grew and fewer people were needed to grow food crops, a more elaborate marketing system developed. Grain was stored on farms, first in wooden granaries and cribs and later in metal bins. More grain could be produced after mechanical harvesting equipment was invented, and larger storage and marketing facilities were necessary to handle the large quantities of harvested grain. This resulted in increased quantities of gr...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• Part I: Ecology and Decision Aids
• Part II: Choosing a Pest Management Method
• Part III: Resources and Exercises
• References
• Index