Climbing ability of Trogoderma granarium larvae on artificial household and insecticide-treated materials

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium is a serious pest of stored grains in many nations. Larvae T. may be persistent warehouse conditions due to the ability enter facultative diapause. Thus, better understanding their behavior with respect movement as they seek places refuge or food lead improvements development monitoring tools and control technologies. distance that beetle larvae walk on variety surfaces at different angles was examined for 10-min intervals. Certain such plywood, sheetrock, tile, cement, netting were much more easily climbed than plastic, painted metal. Movement would often increase when surface inclination increased from 0° 30°, but then decrease 60° 90°. Tape corridors promoted climbing, those paper-like masking tape lab labeling provided most benefit. Other tapes slippery textured did not promote climbing. We also tested move plastic bag material impregnated insecticide angles. Regardless treatment, bags less amenable larval netting. At same time, there little effect slowing these brief trials. results suggest optimal placement wall traps should include an assessment surface, incorporating insecticide-treated nets into new technologies must account mobility surfaces.