Components of environment affecting the reproduction of powder beetle Sitophilus zeamais (motsch.)

Indonesian Cereals Research Institute, Jl. Dr. Ratulangi 274, Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: ayyubpito@gmail.com

Abstract

Several factors that significantly affect the reproduction of powder post beetles were food, moisture content, temperature, humidity, light, air/aeration, and the presence of natural enemies. This paper reviews the environment of the components that affect the reproduction of the powder post beetles Sitophilus zeamasi Motsch. Carbohydrates (sucrose and fructose) are the most significant energy source for the reproductive system and life span. In contrast, proteins consisting of amino acids such as arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, histidine, phenylalanine, methionine, valine, and threonine, as well as components of fat, fatty acids, and sterols, are needed by insects for their energy supply and wing growth. The development of the powder post beetle population is rapid if the moisture content of the stored material is more than 15%. Temperature is also very influential on the reproduction of powder post beetles. The optimum humidity for this pest is around 75%. The next component is light, whereas light (dark and bright conditions) affects insect behavior in choosing food and reproducing (copulation and laying eggs). Another component is oxygen, whereby oxygen levels in the air must be more than 2%. If the CO2 level in the storage room is above 40%, then the pest in all stages will perish.