Using Long-term Capture Data to Predict Trogoderma variabile Ballion and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) Population...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Stored Product Pest Management

Background:

• Integrated pest management (IPM) for stored grains relies on accurate insect population tracking.
• Limited duration of monitoring data often hinders long-term trend analysis and effective treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze 10-year insect capture data from a US flour mill.
• To examine environmental and spatial variability in insect populations.
• To evaluate the impact of fumigation on insect captures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pheromone-baited traps for Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella) and warehouse beetle (Trogoderma variabile).
• Collected data over a decade from inside and outside a central US flour mill.
• Correlated insect captures with seasonal patterns and fumigation events.

Main Results:

• Both species exhibited seasonal activity peaks from April to September, both indoors and outdoors.
• Indianmeal moth captures were consistent across time and space, particularly in open locations.
• Warehouse beetle captures lacked consistency and often occurred in different traps than Indianmeal moths.
• Internal fumigations showed minimal impact on overall insect captures, indicating seasonal and external factors are dominant.

Conclusions:

• Insect populations in flour mills are significantly influenced by seasonal activity and external immigration.
• Current fumigation practices may only affect a small fraction of the total insect population.
• IPM strategies should consider tactics to manage insect immigration into facilities.