Host preference of stored grain insects

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Basically there are two ways to increase agricultural productivity - increase the production with the same amounts of inputs or reduce losses. For some reason, most agricultural research focusses on the first part while much less attention is given to reduction of losses (improved storage and handling). With growing consumer concerns about general food safety, aflatoxins, allergens and pesticide residues in foods, it is paramount that development of improved storage systems is on the research agenda.

The aspect of stored product insect (SPI) that I am most interested in is host preference - to what extent are ovipositing females able to assess qualitative and quantitative differences among hosts? And, how willing are they to "lay all eggs in one basket"? Among other things, more insight into these questions can be used to manipulate storage systems and develop trapping/monitoring devices that enable reliable detection of emerging pest populations.

Most people think that poor storage practices only occur in developing countris... well, this photo of sprouting wheat was taken inside a very large steel bin in Oklahoma - bonne apetit!

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