Stored product entomology: Shifting from the past to the future

Abstract: Knowledge of stored product insects dates back to ancient times, but the historical“Past” for stored product insects as a distinct branch of entomology begins from the early 20thcentury until the mid 1970s and 1980s. The present era is characterized by a decline in thenumber of researchers specializing in stored product insects, and a shift in research focus fromstored bulk grain to structures associated with the milling, distribution, and retail sectors. Possibleapproaches for future research are discussed, including economics of insect control, storedproductinsects as biological and ecological models, invasive or emerging species, and urban pestmanagement.