The study was carried out at the Department of Entomology, SHUATS, Prayagraj during 2023-2024 to study the host preference and damage potential of rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) on different stored millets. The laboratory experiment was conducted to study host preference and seed damage of rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) on different millets (sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, kodo millet). Among different millets, sorghum was found as most preferred host with 30.44 number of weevils after 15 days of release. Maximum and minimum seed damage (%) was recorded on sorghum and foxtail millet after 30 days of release. It was observed that sorghum’s high nutritional content, suitable grain structure, optimal moisture levels, and favorable storage conditions make it an ideal environment for rice weevils’ development and reproduction.
Author(s) Details:
Yash Vardhan Sharma
Department of Entomology, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Scienecs, 211007 Prayagraj [U.P.], India.
Usha Yadav
Department of Entomology, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Scienecs, 211007 Prayagraj [U.P.], India.
Anamika Yadav
Department of Entomology, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Scienecs, 211007 Prayagraj [U.P.], India.
Recent Global Research Developments in Impact of Host Grains on Rice Weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) Infestation
Genome Study: A comprehensive study on the genome of Sitophilus oryzae revealed significant insights into its genetic makeup and its symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sodalis pierantonius. This research provides a foundation for developing pest control strategies [1].
Host Grain Preferences: Research has shown that Sitophilus oryzae exhibits preferences for different rice cultivars. For instance, a study found that the weevil is more attracted to the volatiles of red brown rice compared to other rice types. This preference is linked to specific volatile compounds like nonanal, hexanal, and 1-octen-3-ol [2].
Infestation Impact: Another study investigated the effect of grain infestation by Sitophilus oryzae on the quality of grains and grain products. The findings highlighted the significant damage caused by the weevil, affecting both the quantity and quality of stored grains [3].
Host Preference in Nepal: Research conducted in Chitwan, Nepal, examined the host preferences of Sitophilus oryzae among selected stored grains. The study assessed infestation levels, population density, and the relationship between damage level and weevil population [4].
References
- Parisot, N., Vargas-Chávez, C., Goubert, C. et al. The transposable element-rich genome of the cereal pest Sitophilus oryzae. BMC Biol 19, 241 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-01158-2
- Cao, Y., Hu, Q., Huang, L. et al. Attraction of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to the semiochemical volatiles of stored rice materials. J Pest Sci 97, 73–85 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-023-01616-6
- Zakladnoy, G.A. Effect of Grain Infestation with the Rice Weevil Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae) on the Quality of Grain and Grain Products. Entmol. Rev. 98, 659–662 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0013873818060015
- Subedi, S., Gc, Y. D., Thapa, R. B., & Rijal, J. P. (2009). Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) host preference of selected stored grains in Chitwan Nepal. J. Inst. Agric. Anim. Sci, 30, 151-158.