Effect of Preliminary Infestation of Three Stored Grain Insect Pests Tribolium castaneum, (H) Sitophils oryzae (L.) and Trogoderma granarium (E), their Population Buildup, Loss of Germination and Consequently Wheat Loss during Storage

Population buildup of Tribolium castaneum (H), Sitophils oryzae (L.) and Trogoderma granarium (E) at 6, 8 and 10 pairs per 500 gm wheat per specie of initial insect infestation and resultant loss of wheat was calculated under laboratory conditions during storage period of six (06) months. Average increase number ranged from 20 to 3900 insects. Loss of germination, kernel damage and weight loss were 2.49 to 50.0, 2.79 to 63.69 and 1.99 to 15.38 respectively during the study period. Sitophilus oryzae was found to cause higher weight loss, kernel damage and loss of germination as compared to Trogoderma granarium and Tribolium castaneum .