Impact of dietary composition on the development and longevity of Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius, 1792): implications for pest management in stored products.

Abstract

Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) is a cosmopolitan pest of stored products. Its development and longevity are highly influenced by diet, making the understanding of this relationship critical for the development of effective pest control strategies. This study explores the effects of different dietary substrates on the development and longevity of L. serricorne, using eight food substrates of both economic and nutritional significance. These substrates include rice, popcorn, rice flour, oats, wheat, corn, wheat flour, and a flour mix of cornmeal, wheat germ, and brewer's yeast in a 5:2:1 ratio. In the experiment, 50 g of each substrate were infested with ten pairs of adult insects. Cultures were maintained under controlled conditions with daily monitoring of insect emergence for 90 days. Adult longevity was assessed after emergence by transferring individuals to Eppendorf tubes, where they were monitored for survival. Results showed significant differences in insect emergence and longevity across substrates, with rice and wheat flours supporting the highest emergence rates and wheat providing the longest adult longevity. The flour mix was found to be the least suitable for insect development. These findings underscore the importance of dietary composition in the biology of L. serricorne and provide insights for the development of targeted pest management strategies for stored products.