*4.6.22 Corn sap beetle (*Carpophilus dimidiatus *(Fabricius, 1792) Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)*

*Distribution*: Corn sap beetle is cosmopolitan in distribution and mainly originated in the USA.

*Host range*: It feeds on rotten and decaying fruits and vegetables, corn, and solid grains.

*Bionomics*: The corn sap beetle is small, oblong or ovoid, dark-brown beetle with short and truncate fore wings with the uncovered abdominal tip.

*Damage symptoms*: These pests are notorious for the emission of foul smells.

*4.6.23 Pulse beetle (*C. chinensis *(Linnaeus, 1758) Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)*

*Distribution:* Pulse beetle is distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world.

*Host range: C. chinensis,* is a frequent pest of all pulses, beans and grams.

*Bionomics:* Gravid females lay single eggs, glued to the surface of pods or grains. Eggs are translucent, orange, or cream colored, changing grayish to white later. Eggs hatch into fleshy, curved, creamy white larvae with black mouth parts. Pupae take place inside seed coats in pupal cells. Adults are short, active, brownish-gray, with characteristic spots near the middle of the dorsal side. Adults are not feeding on storage products and are short-lived.

*Damage symptoms:* Adult are seen emerging and wandering over the surface of the grain, and making exit holes. Grubs are responsible for the formation of cavities in seed kernels.

#### **Management of grain and flour beetles:**

Pest management professionals should be informed as soon as possible to identify the pest properly and to devise the best treatment to control the infestation of food grains. Stored grain containers should be thoroughly inspected for holes, rips, and other larvae or adult presence, before purchasing and after storage. Proper ventilation to prevent moisture build-up, make sure to thoroughly wipe, down, and dust storehouses, cabinets, cupboards, and pantry areas.

Infested products with cigarette beetles should be discarded as soon as possible. Stored grain products should be kept in glass sealed containers, plastic containers instead of their original packing. Cleaning and wiping down those areas commonly occupied with food debris.

Corn and other husk-bearing crops should be stored in the shuck if the husk is tight, and covers the whole tip, but if all ears with loose, short, broken, damaged, or perforated husks should be shucked and stored separately in clean bins.

Good sanitation efforts, inspecting items, and keeping stored grain rooms fully ventilated can help to keep red flour beetles away from entering into food grains. The application of pesticides can be harmful because these pests are found in our food supply. Hence contacting experts for pest solutions at the first sign of an infestation is an effective way to protect food items from red flour beetles. Chemical control can be performed by applying carbamates, malathion, organophosphates, organochlorines, etc. These pesticides are used against many stored grain pests. New practices such as ozonation and organic pesticides have ensured grain preservation without quality loss and residue accumulation. Nitric oxide (NO), a newly discovered fumigant, has shown a great potential to control stored grain pests and has been described as a substitute for Methyl bromide.

#### **4.7 Booklice (Psocoptera)**

*Distribution:* Booklice (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) is cosmopolitan in nature they are found all across the world, and mainly found in old books where they

feed on the paste that is used in binding. These are very frequently found in grains, granaries, cupboards, and other solid food substances.

*Host range*: This pest generally feeds upon algae, fungi, lichen, organic detritus in nature, but they are mostly considered as stored grain pests as they feed on grains, bookbinding, etc.

*Bionomics:* The booklice or psocids are small, pale, louse-like, soft-bodied insects, with long slender antennae. Eggs of the pest are mainly laid in crevices or on foliage. Nymphs undergo molt for 6 times to reach adulthood. Length of booklice ranges from 1 to 2 mm.

*Damage symptoms*: Besides damaging books, they also sometimes infest food storage areas, where they feed on dry, starchy materials. Although, some psocids feed on starchy household products, the majority of psocids are woodland insects with little to no contact with humans, therefore they are of little economic importance. Booklice are scavengers and usually do not bite humans.

#### **Management of booklice:**

Cleanliness is one the most successful solution against the attack of booklice. Old books should be placed in cooler conditions, free from moisture and high temperature. Naphthalene balls should be placed on shelves and cupboards. Neem leaves should be placed inside bins or containers, containing food grains and other products.

#### **4.8 Cereal mites (***Acarus siro* **Linnaeus, 1758 Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae)**

*Distribution:* Mites are microscopic and are cosmopolitan in distribution. *Host range*: They mainly attack stored grain pests and rapidly increase their number within a short duration. Almost all plant and animal materials are directly or indirectly affected by these mites.

*Bionomics:* Mites are soft-bodied creatures, pale-colored, microscopic entities. They mainly attack stored grain pests and rapidly increase their number within a short duration. They can infest the crops either directly or indirectly. Mites shed their skin and dead bodies accumulate in fluffy bright brown masses beneath the sacks of food grain.

*Damage symptoms*: Decolouration or fading is the prime symptom of any mite attack.

#### **Management of mites:**

Biological control is one of the eco-friendly controlling strategies in which some predatory mites usually attack these grain mites and kill them. Manual method: Screening and fanning of grains will reduce their population and check the infestation level.
