Feeding preferences of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in four Tunisian Triticum durum varieties

Abstract: Wheat is one of the most important staple foods of Tunisia and is infested by several stored grain insect pests during storage. The lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica
(Bostrichidae) is a primary pest which causes damages to stored cereals such as sorghum, rice
and wheat. This research aimed to investigate the orientation preference, the developmental
period, the emergence rate and the level of susceptibility to durum wheat during storage of R.
dominica adults under no-choice and free choice tests conditions. Results revealed that “Khiar variety” (Pedigree: Chen’S’/Altar 84) provides the maximum adult emergence rate (45.621 %), susceptibility index (27.111), orientation preference percentage (28.33 %), and shortest developmental period (21 days), while, “karim” variety” (Pedigree: Jori“S”/Anhinga“S”//Flamingo“S”), offers the minimum adult emergence rate (12.84 %),
susceptibility index (11.29), orientation preference percentage (5.66 %) and longest
developmental period (34 days).
This work revealed that “khiar variety” is preferred by Rhyzopertha dominica. Results will
contribute to the management of this pest during storage.