Evaluation of different monitoring traps against stored grains insect pests in rice processing units of the Punjab Province, Pakistan

During past few years, continuous detection of khapra beetle was reported in rice consignments shipped from Pakistan to USA and Mexico. It triggered partner countries to enforce export restrictions on Pakistani processed rice causing millions of dollars loss to the country. Finally, it accelerated exporters to streamline this problem and to find the source of interception in rice supply chain of the country. This study was designed in collaboration with Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) to monitor the activity of khapra beetle along with other insect pests in different rice processing units of the Punjab province. Dome, probe and sticky traps were used for monitoring storage pests both indoor and outdoor of storage facilities. Based on results, Probe traps were found significantly effective in capturing khapra beetle in all localities. Population of khapra beetle was found significantly low and negligible in many cases with respect to other stored grains insects. In case of other insects, Tribolium castaneum and Psocids contributed maximum insect count in all traps. Moreover, indoor vicinities were found significantly high accommodating places for stored grains insect pests as compared to outdoor vicinities in all rice processing units.