ARS | Publication request: SEASONAL AND SPATIAL CHANGES IN INSECT DENSITY IN COMMERCIAL ELEVATOR BINS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: August 19, 2004
Publication Date: August 19, 2004
Citation: Flinn, P.W., Hagstrum, D.W., Reed, C., Phillips, T.W. 2004. Seasonal and spatial changes in insect density in commercial elevator bins. Meeting Abstract. Presentation at XXII International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, AU.

Technical Abstract: An integrated pest management program was developed and tested for grain elevators in Oklahoma and Kansas. Over 60 elevators were used, and over 125,000 3-kg vacuum-probe samples were taken during the project. Grain bins were sampled to a depth of 13 to 33 meters, and samples were taken every 1.3 meters. Bins were sampled every 2 months. Insect densities were highest in the top half of the grain (0-13 meters), and decreased with depth. The rusty grain beetle was the dominant species near the surface of the grain. The lesser grain borer was the dominant species in grain samples deeper than 7 meters. Sampling the top 13 meters instead of the entire depth reduced sampling time. It is likely that insects entered the grain through the top hatch or bin vents because most infestations started near the grain surface. Later in the season, if the grain had been turned and fumigated, we found insects at greater depths in the bin. There was little correlation between the need to fumigate because of high insect density, and whether the grain was actually fumigated in commercial elevators. Fumigations tended to be calendar-based because managers did not know the insect density in their bins.