The Canadian Entomologist (2006) 138, 95-103

X. Hou, W. Taylor and P. Fields (2006)
Effect of pea flour and pea flour extracts on Sitophilus oryzae
The Canadian Entomologist 138 (1), 95-103
Abstract: Protein-rich pea flour is an antifeedant and a repellent and is toxic to the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), but its mode of action is not known. Results showed that protein-rich pea flour had no fumigant effect on adult survival or offspring production of S. oryzae. In a contact experiment, immobilized weevils were fed every other day and had their abdomens brushed with protein-rich pea flour or wheat flour on the alternate days. Insects treated with protein-rich pea flour had an average longevity of 9.6 days, which was significantly shorter than that for insects treated with wheat flour (11.3 days) or brushed controls (17.6 days). These results suggest that toxins from the protein-rich pea flour may be able to penetrate the insect cuticle. Midguts from weevils fed protein-rich pea flour, a pea flour extract, or a mixture of pea peptides contained numerous bubbles. Midgut tissues in these treated adults were injured, as shown by dual staining with the fluorescent dyes calcein AM and propidium iodide. The volume of the bubbles increased rapidly when insects were fed protein-rich pea flour or pea flour extract. There were no bubbles found in the midguts of S. oryzae that fed on wheat kernels or wheat flour.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Paul G. Fields

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sitophilus oryzae