Influence of different non-grain commodities on the population growth of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

We investigated the population growth of the khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on seven groups of commercially available non-grain commodities. Six powdered spices were used in the first group of experiments: black pepper, clove, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and turmeric. The second group of the tested commodities included seven animal products: powdered cow milk, powdered pork zelatin, sheeps’ wool, goat’s skin, ducks’ feathers, dry dog food and dry cat food. The third group of commodities was consisted of six herbs: oregano, spearmint, basil, coriander, laurel and marjoram. The fourth group of commodities contained ten pulses: chickpeas, lentil, split peas, black-eyed peas, beans, soybean flour and whole kernels, lima beans, mung bean, and broad beans. The fifth group comprised six dried fruits: Corinthian currants, sultanas, banana chips, melons, apricots and figs. The sixth group was consisted of five non-grain commodities: cottonseed cake, tobacco, black tea, Turk kahvesi and potato flour. The seventh group included seven nuts: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, roasted chickpeas (yellow), almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. Finally, six cracked containment categories (0% cracked kernels, 5% cracked kernels and 95% intact kernels, 10% cracked kernels and 90% intact kernels, 25% cracked kernels and 75% intact kernels, 50% cracked kernels and 50% intact kernels and 100% cracked kernels) from five pulses were tested: chickpeas, black-eyed peas, mung bean, soybean and split peas. The highest progeny production (3.01 individuals per vial) was recorded on powdered cow milk. On pistachios, split peas, sunflower seeds, soybean flour, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds and coriander, T. granarium built high population densities rapidly, while on roasted chickpeas, cottonseed cake, hazelnuts, chickpeas, dog food and lentils, its population growth was much less. Broad beans, melons, figs, lima beans, beans, Corinthian currants, pork zelatin and potato flour were less suitable diets for the development of this species. On black pepper, clove, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, turmeric, sheeps’ wool, goat’s skin, ducks’ feathers, cat food, sultanas, banana chips, apricots, tobacco, black tea, Turk kahvesi, oregano, spearmint, basil, laurel and marjoram, no progeny production was recorded. The proportion of 100% cracked black-eyed peas or mung beans was more suitable for the population growth of T. granarium. Also, the percentages of 50% cracked chickpeas or 10% cracked soybeans enhanced the development of the species, in comparison with the whole kernels of each pulse. Our study indicated that several non-grain commodities are beneficial for the population growth of T. granarium, a fact that should be seriously taken into account in international trade, as this pest may utilize them as “vehicles” of expansion.