Growth, development and progeny production of Rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) on broken, flour and whole maize

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was carried out in the Department of Entomology Agricultural College, Bapatla to determine the influence of physical form of host grain on growth and development of rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus. C. ferrugineus was reared on different physical form of maize (whole grain, brokens and flour) using mass rearing techniques. The effect of the different forms and rearing regimes on C. ferrugineus growth, development and reproductive capacity was measured. C. ferrugineus adults lived longer and produced significantly more progeny on brokens maize (Zea mays L.) rather than on whole grains and flour. Similarly, the higher growth index (0.78) was also found on maize brokens.