Qualitative and quantitative insect pest status of stored grain insect pests on wheat in semi-arid zone of Rajasthan

Extensive survey of stored grain insect pests infesting wheat in Jaipur district of agroclimatic zone IIIrd A (Semi-Arid Eastern Plain) of Rajasthan during May, 2009 to April, 2010 revealed that the insect species recorded were Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab.), Trogoderma granarium (Everts), Sitophilus oryzae (Linn.) and Sitotroga cerealella Olivier. The varieties stored were Raj-3077, Raj-3765, C-306 and Raj-1482, though, large number of farmers (41.2%) did not know the variety stored by them. The storage containers and storage structures adopted were gunny bags (57.4%) followed by metal bins (22.1%), bulk storage in rooms (10.3%), Pucca bukhari (5.9%), Kachcha bukhari/Obri (2.9%) and wooden box (1.5%). The insecticides and grain protectants used by the farmers were aluminium phosphide, neem leaves, methyl parathion dusting on bags and neem leaves + aluminium phosphide. 16.2 per cent respondents did not use insecticides and grain protectants.