Prevention of Stored Product pests

Question 1

stored product pests

Answer 1

• indian meal moths

- beetles

Question 2

indian meal moths characteristics

Answer 2

• less common than beetles, through able to able to readily infest all farinaceous products w/t larvae
• female moth lays between 100-300 eggs, requires 6-8 weeks to go from egg to adult stage
• moth larvae spin silk-webbing
• grayish band across upper 1/3 of their reddish-bronze wings

Question 3

beetles

Answer 3

• flour beetles
• dermestid beetles (khapra beetle)
• saw-toothed grain beetle
• rice weevil

Question 4

flour beetles

Answer 4

• confused, red flour beetle are similar in appearance
• called “Tribolium” beetles
• shiny, flattened, reddish brown
• head, upper parts of thorax are densely covered w/t minute pitting
• wing covers are ridged lengthwise
• life cycle/reproduction
• ) female lays an average of 440 eggs in lifetime
• ) eggs are covered w/t sticky secretion, adhere to sides of sacks, boxes

Question 5

dermestid beetles (khapra beetle) medically important

Answer 5

• hairs on outside of the larvae can cause intestinal trauma, eye irritation, dermatitis, allergic reaction
• quarantinable insect
• if found dead/alive whole lot must be condemned

Question 6

dermestid beetles adults

Answer 6

• oval-shaped

- reddish brown w/t pale markings on wing covers

Question 7

dermestid beetles larvae

Answer 7

• resistant to starvation

- can live for several yrs without food

Question 8

saw-toothed grain beetle

Answer 8

• most commonly found stored products pest aboard ship
• slender, flat brown beetle
• 2.5 mm in length
• thorax bears six saw-toothed projections on each side

Question 9

saw-toothed grain beetle life cycle/reproduction

Answer 9

• female can lay as many as 280 eggs in lifetime
• eggs are small, white, slender
• hatch in 3-4 days
• eggs to adult in one month
• adults live 6-10 months

Question 10

rice weevil

Answer 10

• most destructive store product pests
• reddish-brown, have long “break” / “snout” that extends from head
• can be recognized by presence of two yellowish/reddish spots on top of each front wing

Question 11

food item w/t high insect infestation potential

Answer 11

• grits
• cornmeal
• farina
• dry mix
• macaroni
• barley
• cookie and cake mix
• flour
• dry beans and peas
• ready-to-eat cereal
• rice

Question 12

sampling of food items- use random sampling method

Answer 12

• use random sampling method
• increase sampling as infestations are found
• open boxes and remove packages, plastic bags slowly
• take sample to inspect from the inner area of the pallet
• observe samples for following
• ) seams in sacks
• ) pinholes in boxes
• ) insect feces
• ) webbing/frass (grain dust)
• ) cast skins
• ) larval forms
• ) adult insects
• items close to/past exp date are at high risk

Question 13

procedures for conducting, reporting stored product pest surveys

Answer 13

• monthly routine sanitation inspection by med dept
• pierside inspections
• storetooms

Question 14

monthly routine sanitation inspection by med dept (all food storage spaces)

Answer 14

• check items that have high insect infestation potential
• ensure broken containers, torn sacks, spilled food promptly removed from storeroom
• stock rotation will help prevent infestations
• underway, inspect stored goods every 2 weeks for signs of pests, can be more often if warranted
  (keep record of all inspection results pos/neg)

Question 15

pierside inspections

Answer 15

• if insects are found, separate infested supplies, notify supply officer
• recommend items not be allowed on board

Question 16

storerooms

Answer 16

• small quantity, dry stores lightly infested less than 7 beetles per pound (other than dermestid species/flour beetles) infested item removed immediately, placed freezer 3days used asap
  (kill insects, sifted out cast skins, excrement) (2weeks@0*F req to kill all stages)
• dry stores 1 living/dead dermestid larva,/3 flour beetles ad/larva per pound/ 7insects any other kind, unfit for consumption (dispose product)