Abstract

To understand the biology and the response due to application of different powders as grain protectant against Sitotroga cereallela in stored maize, a trial was conducted at laboratory conditions for two consecutive years 2013–14 and 2014–15. Based on experimental findings, the biological events of S. cereallela indicated that the incubation period ranged from 4.33 to 5.50 days with mean duration of 5.05±0.30 days. The larval period recorded in the range from 18.33 to 20.47 days with mean duration of 19.26 ± 0.50 days. Similarly, the mean duration of pupal period was recorded 8.00±0.16 days with a range of 7.66 to 8.33 days. The adult longevity was 3.68±0.30 days with the range from 3.06 to 4.33 days. Thus, the total life cycle varied from 30.99 to 34.13 days with mean duration of 32.31±0.77 days. Effectiveness of different powders @ 8 g/kg grain against S. cerealella on maize grain revealed that kaolinite was found to be the most effective in reducing per cent damaged grain (7.57%) followed by neem leaf powder which recorded 12.70% damage. Similarly, weight loss of maize grain was found to be lowest with kaolinite (5.92%) followed by neem leaf powder (9.44%). In our findings, the information on biology of S. cerealella will be helpful for management in this zone of Bihar. Kaolinite and neem leaf powder can be incorporated in pest management because they are safe and environment-friendly instead of using synthetic chemical pesticides.