Resistance in stored rice varieties against angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Studies were undertaken on infestation of eight genotypes of rice against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier.) under storage condition. The results were based on means of moth emergence, percent weight loss, percent damage and developmental period after the completion of first generation under controlled laboratory conditions. It was found that none of the varieties was completely immune to insect infestation. Rice variety Basmati-370 was found most resistant and Basmati-Pak and G-7 were most susceptible. The level of insect resistance was in the order: IRRI-6 ≥ G-6 ≥ Basmati-2000 ≥ PK-Basmati-385 ≥ Super Kernel Basmati. The correlation between number of moths emerged was positive and highly significant with percent weight loss (r=0.780) and percent damage (r=0.882). Insect susceptibility studies during post-harvest storage should be given due consideration in future rice breeding programmes.