The Effect of Maize Hybrid on Biology and Life Table Parameters of the Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is a polyphagous pest that infests many stored grains and products. The effect of nine maize hybrids including 704, AR 89, AS 71, AS 77, BC 678, KSC 703, PL 472, SC 704, and Simax was studied on biology and life table parameters of T. granarium at controlled conditions (33 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 14:10 [L:D] h). According to the results of this study, the immature period was the longest on BC 678 (56.79 ± SE: 1.51 d) and the shortest on PL 472 (39.90 ± 0.48 d). The highest values of fecundity and fertility were observed on PL 472 (67.95 ± 1.23 eggs and 74.81 ± 0.68%, respectively) and the lowest values were on BC 678 (40.00 ± 1.63 and 48.24 ± 1.35, respectively). The net reproductive rate (R0) of T. granarium ranged from 10.40 ± 0.11 offsprings on BC 678 to 30.43 ± 0.20 offsprings on KSC 703. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was for T. granarium reared on KSC 703 (0.0773 ± 0.0001 d-1), and the lowest was on BC 678 (0.0390 ± 0.0002 d-1). According to the obtained results, BC 678 is an unfavorable hybrid for population increase of T. granarium, which can be recommended to be grown in regions where the damage of T. granarium is considerable to minimize maize infestations by this pest.