Entomologia Generalis (2020) 40, 323-330

Mireia Solá, Jordi Riudavets and Cristina Castañé (2020)
Control of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus zeamais in stored rice with different release rates of the larval parasitoid Anisopteromalus calandrae
Entomologia Generalis 40 (3), 323-330
Abstract: The presence of weevils is a concerning problem surrounding stored rice that is not well controlled with available pesticides, and alternative solutions are demanded nowadays by industry. The introduction of natural enemies can be very effective in closed environments where the grain is stored. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the larval parasitoid, Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in reducing the populations of two problematic internal feeders of rice, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Three parasitoid:host ratios (1:1, 2:1, 4:1) were tested in small containers with 2Kg of brown rice at 23 and 28ºC during two host generations. Afterwards, host and parasitoid emergence, and rice damage was evaluated. The parasitoid drastically reduced both pest numbers (up to 99% reduction compared with the control treatment without the parasitoid) and their associated damage to rice grains (insect-damaged kernels, frass production and mould presence). The parasitoid was very effective at 23 and 28ºC over S. zeamais and at 28ºC over R. dominica at all parasitoid:host ratios tested. In conclusion, the introduction of A. calandrae could avoid the development of abundant populations of R. dominica and S. zeamais, representing a good control alternative to be further developed for the containment of the two pests in stored rice.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jordi Riudavets

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sitophilus zeamais	Stored grain
	Rhyzopertha dominica	Stored grain
Anisopteromalus calandrae (parasitoid)	Sitophilus zeamais	Stored grain
Anisopteromalus calandrae (parasitoid)	Rhyzopertha dominica	Stored grain