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Rusty grain beetle (RGB), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), progeny production on undamaged corn kernels (Zea mays L.) and on artificially damaged kernels was investigated at varying moisture contents and initial insect densities. Only three adult progeny were produced on undamaged kernels in both tests. The number of adult progeny produced on damaged kernels increased as moisture content increased from 11.3 to 14.8%, but was still low. Initial insect densities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, or 40 RGB on ten kernels of corn did not affect the low number of progeny produced on damaged kernels. These results indicate that even though a high proportion of stored corn contains breaks in the seed coat, growth of RGB populations would be slow if the corn is otherwise intact and is stored at or below 14.8% moisture content.

Keywords: Insecta; Cryptolestes ferrugineus ; rusty grain beetle; stored products; Zea mays ; progeny production; moisture content; population density
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Copyright: © 1990 Georgia Entomological Society, Inc.

Contributor Notes

2This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation for its use by USDA.

Accepted: Jul 18, 1989