Life table parameters of saw toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L., 1758) on different varieties of stored date palm fruits infested under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera (L.) fruit is a very important source of nutrients and cash crop of Sindh, Pakistan because of ideal climatic conditions for cultivation. The commercially important varieties are grown namely; Kupro, Karbalian, Aseel, Fasly and Dadhi. The research study was carried out under laboratory conditions from August, 2015 to April, 2016. During storage process these varieties were infested by saw toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L). The maximum survival rate was recorded 88% on Kupro and lowest 46.51% on Dadhi varieties. The study revealed that Kupro and Karbalian semi-dry varieties were more attractive to pest as compared to Aseel and Dadhi dry, the reason might be because of attraction was high sugar and moisture contents.