Stored Product Pest Flashcards
most damage is caused by what two insects
beetles
moths
what stages are the most destructive for beetles
larvae
adults
what stages are the most destructive for moths
larvae only
beetles and moths undergo which life cycle
complete metamorphosis
eating the product is one way SPPs have an effect on the food they infest
consumption
live insects, body parts, webbing, cast skins, fecal wastes, odors are examples
contamination
pests often impart a bitter, stale taste to products they infest
palatability
some products, like flour, will not rise properly if they have had an insect infestation
cooking quality
the most important impact of stored product pests
medical importance
shed skins of dermestid larvae can cause contact dermatitis and barbed hairs pose a health problem if swallowed in contaminated grains
irritation
some individuals are hypersensitive to insects and insect by-products
allergies
there mere presence of insects in food can cause some people to experience physical symptoms such as itching, nauseas, and vomiting
revulsion
infestations most often occur in what mode
transmit mode
favoring conditions of infestations
poor sanitation
improper handling
poor storage and stock rotation
moisture
warmth
easy access
methods of entry
penetration
invasion
both larvae and/or adults may be able to bore holes in the packaging
penetration
pests enter through rips, tears, or along seams of the package
invasion
are medically important because the larvae have barbed hairs that can penetrate the mucosal lining of the GI tract, causing irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea
Dermestid Beetles
Appearance:
oval dark brown beetles
smudgy yellowish or reddish-brown transverse stripes on the wing covers
covered with fine hairs
khapra beetles
Importance:
most destructive dermestid beetle worldwide
previously eradicated from the US but are still intercepted at ports of entry
quarantinable pest
found in countries; India, Kuwait, Afghanistan
resistant to any insecticides and fumigants
khapra beetles
Appearance:
oval brownish black
warehouse beetle
Importance:
can fly
are voracious feeders
found in cereals, flour, cake/pancake mixes
warehouse beetle
Flour beetles
red flour beetle
confused flour beetle
Appearance:
red-brown to black
red flour beetle & confused flour beetle
Importance:
found in WARMER climates in the SOUTHERN states
infestations create a strong odor and affect taste/cooking quality
products include flour, cereals, beans, and dried pet food
red flour beetle
Importance:
occurs worldwide in COOLER climates
more abundant in the NORTHERN states
infestations create a strong odor and affect taste/cooking quality
products include flour, cereals, beans, and dried pet food
confused flour beetle
Appearance:
very flat, narrow, and dark brown
sawtoothed grain beetle
Importance:
found in grocery stores, food warehouses, grain storage facilities
products include flour, cereal, bread, pasta & sugar
sawtoothed grain beetle
Appearance:
red to black
granary weevils
Importance:
among the most destructive pest of un-milled grains, seeds and grain products in grain bins
products include wheat, corn, macaroni, oats
granary weevils
Appearance:
round, light brown with head bent downward
cigarette beetle
Importance:
strong fliers
found in wide variety of products, including tobacco, cereals, flour
can infest MREs
cigarette beetle
destructive life stage for moths
larvae
Appearance:
lower two thirds of the forewings are reddish bronze with irregular dark bands
upper one third is silvery white or grey
indian meal moth
Importance:
general feeder
common pest of grain, seeds, dried fruits, dog food
indian meal moth
Appearance:
gray wings w/ 3 or 4 zigzag lines across them
Mediterranean flour moth
Importance:
found globally
prefers flour and meal, also attacks grain, and cereal products
Mediterranean flour moth
are tiny, pale gray or yellowish-white, wingless, soft-bodies insects
“book lice”
feed primarily on mold
psocids
tiny tick relatives look like dust
almost colorless
long microscopic hairs
most important mites infesting cereals, mold spores, corn, dried fruits
cause temporary skin irritation or respiratory difficulties
grain mites
infested/contaminated products are
placed on medical hold and segregated from other products
Condemnation Level:
Dermestid spp.Beetles
1 or more
Condemnation Level:
Flour Beetles
Average of 3 or more per pound of product
Condemnation Level:
Other Beetles, Pests or Moths
Average of 7 or more per pound of product
if infestations levels meet the condemnation levels
insects are killed and product is disposed of
infestation levels within safe tolerances
treated IAW procedures:
Freezing
Fumigation
held at 0 degrees F for a minimum of two weeks
freezing
preferred method and is carried out by pest management personnel
Fumigation
signs of infestation
holes in packaging
caking
webs
live insects
pupae or cocoons
fecal waste
a chemical compound produced by an organism that initiatives a behavioral activity in others of the same species
pheromone
device utilizing a pheromone lure that attracts and retains insects
used primarily for monitoring specific pests
pheromone trap
other traps:
glue boards
light traps
suction traps
control measures:
Prevention
Cultural Control
Mechanical Control
Physical Control
Chemical Control
once infestations are established they are very difficult to reverse, so it is important to _____ infestations
prevent
sanitation is the most effective method to control stored product pest infestations
Cultural control
insect resistant packaging;
traps, tight fitting doors/windows, sealing cracks
mechanical control
altering the temperature and humidity
physical control
general surface treatments that kill pests that land on treated surfaces, and some crack and crevice applications
residual treatment
aerosols that do not penetrate packing material or bulk food products
space treatment
gaseous pesticide used to penetrate packaging to kill pests throughout the product
fumigant
