Role of Botanicals against Stored Product Insects

Food protection and Role of Insects in Food

infestationBy

Dr. GURUPRASAD B.RYoung Scientist (DST)

FPIC CSIR-CFTRI

Insects Inside and Out

Insects

More than 100,000 species of insects are found almost everywhere in India, but very few are harmful. Insects are important to the food chain, pollination, honey, wax, shellac, silk, food, scavenging, and decomposing.

Lady beetle adult and larva -

Let's examine which insects are "good" and which ones are "bad". Are lady beetles good or bad? Well, they are good when they eat aphids, but bad when hundreds collect inside your house.

good or bad?

Honey bees - good or bad?

Are honey bees good or bad? They are good whenthey pollinate and produce honey, but bad when they sting.

Termites - good or bad?

They are bad when they eat the wood in your house, but good when they break down dead and fallen trees.

© 1998-2003 Troy Bartlett

KingdomPhylumClass OrderFamilyGenusspecies

In school we learned that animals are divided intosmaller and smaller groups. Let's look where insects fit in the animal kingdom. From top to bottom, each category has fewer species, and the groups of animals within each category are increasingly similar.

Kingdom- animalPhylum - arthropod

Class - insectOrder - dipteraFamily - muscidaeGenus - Muscaspecies -domestica

Using the house fly as an example. Notice the genus and species is the official scientific name of the animal. This name is valid in any country of the world and is an important way to avoid confusion. This two-word Latin naming system was developed in 1758 and has hardly changed since then. There are some important things to know about it.

House FlyMusca = flydomestica = home

Scientific names are always two words. The first part of the name (Genus) is always capitalized. This lets us know that it is the genus. The second name is always in lower case and is usually descriptive of the insect in some manner. Because these words are in Latin, they are always italicized (or underlined which substitutes for italics).

Skeeter Hawk Cow Killer Velvet ant

CicadaLocustLocust

External Anatomy

head abdomenthorax

Adult insects are known for having three major body regions, six legs, one pair of antennae and usually two pair of wings as adults.

from the 1995 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Poster

Adult insects develop as a composite of fused segmentswith specific body part associations.

head

mouthparts

antennae

compound eyes

HEADThe first body region is the head. Insect heads can behighly variable, but most possess eyes, antennae and mouthparts.

Antennae

June beetle

termite

flybutterfly

ant

beetle

Antennae are used by insects as major sensory devices, especially for smell, and can be adaptive for the insect in many ways.

Two Examples of Mouthparts

chewing piercing/suckingInsect mouthparts are also highly modified for theinsect. Chewing, biting, or sucking, are a few examples. Mouthparts of an immature insect may differ from those of the same insect in its adult stage.

Picture of bodyparts

ThoraxThe middle body region is called the thorax and is composed of three fused segments. All legs and wings are located on the thorax.

Legs

suction

digging swimming

grasping

Like the mouthparts and antennae, insect legs are quitevariable in form and function and reflect the insect's lifestyle.

AbdomenThe last body region is called the abdomen. It is composed of many segments connected by flexible sections allowing it great movement.

Insects possess an exterior covering called the exoskeleton. They do not have internal bones. This segmented "shell" is what gives insects shape and can be very hard in some insects. It is often covered with a waxy layer and may have "hairs" called setae.

Exoskeleton x-sec

waxy layerseta ( hair)

cuti

cle

Internal Anatomy

Digestive sys

Digestive Systemforegut

midgut

hindgut

The digestive system is a tube that opens at the mouth and empties at the tail end of the insect. It is divided into three parts called the foregut, midgut, and hind gut. In some insects such as the honey bee, the foregut acts as a crop to carry or hold liquids which can be regurgitated later.

Circ system

Circulatory Systemaortic pumps“ heart ”

The circulatory system is not composed of a central heart, veins and arteries which circulate blood cells and transport oxygen. The insect circulatory system is a simple tube down the back which is open at both ends and slowly pulses body fluids and nutrients from the rear of the insect to the head.

Nervous system

Nervous System

nerve bundles

two lobed brain

(ganglia)

The Respiratory system is composed of air sacs and tubes called tracheae. Air enters the tubes through a series of openings called spiracles found along the sides of the body. The largest spiracles are usually found on the thorax where greater musculature from wings and legs require more oxygen. There are no spiracles on the head.

spiracles trachealtubes

Respiratory System

LifeCycles

Complete Metamorphosis

1. Eggs2. Larvae3. Pupae4. Adult

Without meta

Without Metamorphosisegg adultnymphs

The first type is "without" metamorphosis which the wingless primitive orders such as silverfish .The young resemble adults except for size.

Incomplete meta

Incomplete Metamorphosisegg naiads adult

The second type is "incomplete" metamorphosiswhich is found among the aquatic insect orders such as mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and dragonflies (Odonata).

Gradual meta

Gradual Metamorphosis

egg nymphs adult

The third type is "gradual" metamorphosis seen in such orders as the grasshoppers (Orthoptera), termites (Isoptera), thrips (Thysanoptera), and true bugs (Hemiptera). This life cycle starts as an egg, but each growth, or nymphal stage looks similar, except it lacks wings and the reproductive capacity that the adult possesses.

Complete Metamorphosis

egg larvae pupa adult

Insects – prevalent features of our environment

• Number of species;• Interactions in

ecosystems andwith us;

• Our major competitors.

Supply of Food in Nature

Crop production in India (Million tonnes)

Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from Ministry of Agriculture

Introduction

• United nations predicts 1.3 billion tons of food is lost Globally every year.

• The current world population expected : 10.5 Billion by 2050

The above food loss, if managed / prevented, can feed future generations ?

Food Supplies would need to increase by 60% in order to meet the food demand in 2050. (Gustavsson et al, 2011)

Food storage losses in India

Annual Storage losses have been estimated 14-million tones of Food grains worth of 7000 crores every

year. Post –harvest losses

Storage alone 8 % 1. INSECTS : 2.5 – 4.8 %2. RODENTS : 2.70 %3. BIRDS : 0.85 %4. MOISTURE : 0.68 % Source: TNAU

Major losses of Stored food by pests In India

80% of human food comes from grains

The storage losses to insects alone account for nearly Rs 1,300 crores annually

Postharvest losses in India amount to 12 to 16 million metric tonnes of food grains annually.

Source: World Bank report 2013

0

5

10

15

20

25

Developed Countries Developing Countries

Source: Gustavsson et. al (2011)

%

Food losses vary by the stage of supply chain across countries

Grain Moisture 12-18% moisture is conducive for insects

Some species can infest 9-10% moisture grain (larger grain borer on corn)

At 15% moisture or higher, molds infect grain

Conceptual frame work for estimating food losses

Post –Harvest Food Losses

Harvesting Food Storage Processing Packaging Sales Consumption

Season Moisture Decision Mechanizations

MoldsShrinkSpoilage MoistureTempHandleTransptTime

Removal DiscardVisual ShrinkgePoor -handlgTranspt losses,Poor package

Improper package, Lack & failure of package, Transpt losses

Infra-Structure,Poor inventory,Improper portiong,SeasonalItems,Temp

Left over, Expire dates,Bulk purchase.Poor positiong

Insects

Food availability and accessibility can be increased

1. Increasing Production 2. Improving distribution 3. Reducing the Losses

(Gustavsson et al, 2011)

Difference between rats

Fecal matter of the Rats

Structure of Rats

Foot prints of the Rats

What are stored product insects? Insects which infest durable stored products Insects associated with food and infest our food

materials especially in storage conditionsDurable products such as GrainsPulses, Nuts, Dried fruits, Dried herbs and spices

etc; (products with low moisture content)

Stored Products food infested 600 species of beetles

70 species of moths

355 mites , 40 species of Rodents

150 species of fungi

Important SPI1. Coleoptera or beetles2. Lepidoptera or moths3. Psocoptera or book/bark lice

Head capsule

Present

Absent

Fly

Prolegs Present

Prolegs absent

MOTH BEETLE

Key for Larvae

Identification of Common Pests of Stored Grain

Where do the pests come from ?For Example: If the pest is found in a

package /storage site/a food factory Introduced together with the raw product Present as a part of residual infestation in

machinery / hiding spaces in building Entered through openings being attracted

from outside Prolonged Transportation

Proposed OriginMostly tropical or subtropical in origin.1. Coleoptera or beetles: a. Under bark of treesb. Seedsc. Ripened fruits d. Wood shoot e. fungi and moulds2. Lepidoptera or moths: a. leaf litter b. nests of wasps and birds

Many storage pests have been associated with the humans.

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Day 1 Day 60 Day 120 Day 180

Adult Female

Eggs

One female lays 300 eggs that mature into 150 females in 60 days under ideal conditions. From 1 Female to 1 Billion Eggs in 180 Days

Indian Meal Moth Population Build-up

Red Flour Beetle:Tribolium castaneum

Secretes methyl and ethyl Benzoquinones (which are Cancer-causing) and volatile compounds from Thoracic and Abdomen glands

Adult live for 4-10 months,3-4mm long, strong flier, Egg: 450-500/FHatch in 5-6 daysLarval period 4-10 wksLife cycle: 4-12 monthsTemp: Max 40oC Min 20oC RH: >1%

Secondary Pest, Cannibalistic Behavior, Abrupt Antenna-3 Terminal Segments; Cosmopolitan

Saw-toothed Grain Beetle

1. Enter many sealed containers2. Primary pest & Secondary pest

Oryzaephilus surinamensis

Adult: 2.54 mm,Presence of six saw tooth in ThoraxLife span:1-3 years 300 eggs / F hatch in 3-6 daysLarva:3-3.3 mmPupal period: 8-25 days Life Cycle: 27-25 days Temp: Max:38oC,

Min: 18oCBut never fliesCosmopoltian

Pulse Beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis)

Adult :3-4mm longLarva: 5-6mm longLarval period 10-38 daysPupal stage : 4-28 daysEggs : 250 eggs : 1-37 per day Egg period : 6-16 daysLife span : 5-15 days.

Lesser Grain Borer: Rhyzopertha dominica

Adult: 3.3- 3.5mm lived 4-6 months

Eggs:300-400/F

Hatch:6-14 days

Primary pest, Larvae and Adults are voracious Feeders, Cosmopoltian

Larval period 35- 40 days

Pupal period:7-8 days

Life cycle:6-8wks

Rice Weevil :Sitophilus oryzae Male:short Snout irregular pits; Female: long Snout regular pits

Adult live for 3-6mths,2.5- 4 mm long, Egg: 150/FHatchLarval period 4-10 wks, leglessLife cycle: 4-12monthsTemp: Max 15-34oC RH: >40%

Female lays the egg within grain and hole is plugged with waxy secretion; larva concealed with in grain; cosmopolitan; cannibalistic behavior

Family: Dermestidae. 700 species. 3 categories:

breed only on animal protein (Dermestes spp.)

breed on plant and animal materials (Trogoderma spp.)

breed on cereals and cereal products (Trogoderma spp.).

Trogoderma granarium (Khapra beetle). Serious pest of stored grain.

Trogoderma granarium

Rice Weevil :Sitophilus oryzae

Fore wings are bicoloured, Labial palps pointing forward

Adult:6-10 days7-9 mm long, Egg: 150-200/FHatch- 3 daysLarval period 4-10 wks, leglessLife cycle: 4-12 daysTemp: Max 15-35oC RH: 25-90%

Secondary pests and Scavangers Eggs are sticky and adhere Larvae is external feeders on processed food Larvae wander in search of foods, enter minute

perforated product packages. Adults do not feed on commodity, fly readily, cosmopolitan

Larvae of the beetles associated with stored products

Eruciform Larvae

Scarabaeiform Larvae

Apodous Larvae

Elateriform Larvae

Campodeifom Larvae

Relative weight losses caused by different species during their lifetime

Insect species Diet Weight Loss (mg) Larva Adult

Total

T.castaneum Flour 13 315 328R.dominica Wheat 5 149 154S.granarius Wheat 19 67 86O.surinamensis

Oats 2 33 35

S. oryzae Wheat 07 25 32P.interpunctela (Indian meal moth )

Maize 34 ---- 34

Source : Hagstrum and Subramanyam 2000

Features of Stored-Product Beetles

Adults can live between 2 months and a year

Mate multiple times Both adults and larvae cause

damage Females lay eggs throughout

their adult life

Features of Stored-Product Moths

Adults live 6-8 daysOnly larvae cause damageEggs by females are laid within 6

daysMay mate 1-3 times

Types of losses due to pests

DirectIndirect

Direct losses

– Actual consumption • loss of weight, • loss of nutrients, • lower germination,• reduced grade • lower market value

– Contamination – Damage to structures or containers

Indirect losses• wet grain heating• bacteria• fungi• alflatoxins• parasites of humans• control and application costs• excessive pesticide residues• loss of consumer confidence

Management of Stored Food Pests

• Monitor Pest Population• Control through non-chemical means if

possible• Use Chemicals as a last resort (they can

cause rejection too).

Objective:

Prevent contamination from causing rejection

Inspection and Monitoring

• Survey areas where insect pests can enter facility

• Windows and doors should be tight to prevent entry when closed

• Vegetation (fruit and nut trees) can cause pests to proliferate close to the building

• Weeds can provide harborage

Pheromone Trap

Trapping• Traps for all but flour beetles should be placed

about 6 feet up. Flour beetle traps should be placed level on floor or shelves

• Do not place close to windows and doors to prevent luring insects into facility

• Pinpoint problem areas, then visually inspect to find infestation

• Routinely service to replace attractants and clean or change sticky traps

Information from Trapping

• Monitoring—new introductions, isolate current problems

• Looking at setae on back of a beetle, can determine food it was in.

IPM: Management Tactics

• Non-chemical control–Sanitation—–Physical—–Cultural—

• Many of the non-chemical control methods are PREVENTATIVE–Biological Control: ?

IPM: Management TacticsJudicious use of insecticides

Examples of treatment plans, associated application equipment, formulations available and some products

Common Facilities with Stored Product Pests

• Warehouses• Stores• Homes• Bins will be covered in the lab