ARS | Publication request: Simulation model of the red flour beetle in flour mills

Submitted to: Stored Products Protection International Working Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2010
Publication Date: December 9, 2010
Repository URL: http://pub.jki.bund.de/index.php/JKA/article/download/1300/1345
Citation: Flinn, P.W., Campbell, J.F., Throne, J.E., Subramanyam, B. 2010. Simulation model of the red flour beetle in flour mills. In: Stored Products Protection International Working Conference Proceedings, June 27 - July 2, 2010, Estoril, Portugal. p. 953-955.

Technical Abstract: Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) is one of the most common insect pests infesting wheat flour mills. Structural treatments such as methyl bromide, sulfuryl fluoride and heat, are used to control the red flour beetle. The structural treatments do not provide any residual action and, thus, any surviving insect stages can rebound rapidly depending on the temperature. In addition, the distribution of the fumigant or heat treatment in the facility can result in different mortality rates for different floors or regions of the mill. Simulation models can be used to develop optimal integrated pest management strategies. Models developed for the flour beetle in stored grain have been useful for predicting population trends. Our objective was to develop a model for the red flour beetle in wheat flour mills that could be used to predict the effects of various structural treatments and subsequent population rebound. Currently, heat treatment is not included in the model - it will be added in a future version.