Control of Tribolium Confusum J. Du Val by Diatomaceous Earth (Protect-It[Tm]) on Stored Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) and Aspergillus Flavus Link Spore Dispersal (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Storage of agricultural produce is part of the post-harvest system through which food material passes on its way from field to consumer. It is generally accepted that 5-15% of the total weight of all cereals, oilseeds, and pulses is lost after harvest [1]. There is a continuous need to protect the stored products against deterioration, especially loss of quality and weight during storage. Quantitative and qualitative losses of stored grains may result from the feeding and waste production by insects, mites, rodents and birds or from the growth of microorganisms all of which are influenced by environmental conditions. Insects, mites and fungi may cause hydrolysis and oxidation and decrease the level of certain nutrients in stored products or even form toxic substances such as mycotoxins. Mould contamination in stored groundnuts has been found to be closely associated with insect infestations [2, 3, 4, 5]. Controlling insects during storage may also contribute towards reducing spread of fungal spores within the storage system. The mean % incidence of Aspergillus flavus in insect damaged samples of wheat was much higher (87%) than in insect-free samples (25%) [6]. In damaged wheat kernels, A. flavus growth was observed inside the holes caused by the insects [6]. This report is in agreement with the findings on the migration of the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank and its ability to disperse the toxigenic fungus A. flavus from artificially contaminated lots of maize grains [5]. Fungal growth was more marked in compartments containing grains inoculated with both mites and fungi than in compartments containing grains inoculated with fungi only [5]. This is indicative of the fact that mites constantly move within the storage site, and hence improving the dispersal of fungi and other microorganisms that are carried around on their body surfaces or delivered on their faeces.