Management of Stored-product Insect Pests Through Biorational Approaches: A Review

Stored-product insects are serious pests of dried, stored, durable agricultural commodities and of many value-added food products and non-food derivatives of agricultural products worldwide. The effect of diatomaceous earth on mortality of adults of Sitophilus oryzae clearly revealed the importance of temperature and relative humidity and found hundred per cent mortality even at highest RH (90%) at both highest temperatures (30 and 35°C) and at combinations of 20 and 25°C with only lower RH (30 and 50%). The exposed adults of Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica and adults and eggs of Corcyra cephalonica to essential oils of geranium, lemongrass and peppermint in the fumigation chamber noticed that complete mortality of adults of S. oryzae at 100 and 150 ìl/250 ml of peppermint oil. Whereas, in case of R. dominica, 100% mortality was observed in all the doses (50, 100, 150 & 200 ìl/250 ml). The effectiveness of controlled atmosphere (decreased oxygen at 1± 0.5%) at elevated temperature (41°C) in controlling the major storage pests, fig moth (Ephestia cautella), Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), and dried fruit beetle (Carpophilus sp.) showed effective control.