Insect species and their abundance in sunflower and soybean seeds in warehouses in the Çukurova Region, Türkiye

Harmful insect species were investigated in soybean and sunflower seed samples mixed with weed seeds and stored for a short time in the open field in the Çukurova Region (Türkiye) including Adana, Mersin and Osmaniye Provinces in 2020. A total of 8 harmful insect species were found in the samples of stored soybean and sunflower seeds. Seeds of 12 weed species were detected in both soybean and sunflower seed samples. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbsts, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was the major pest insect in both sunflower and soybean seeds. A few species of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L. 1763) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which are the primary pest of stored cereals, were recorded under outdoor conditions. No insect feeding damage was observed on the seeds of both crops and also on the seeds of the weeds. Finally, the seeds of soybean and sunflower crops which were harvested and kept outside the warehouses, for a short time, were attacked by some stored pest insects particularly Tribolium spp. This issue may create a problem, in the case that harvested crops with insects are moved into the warehouse,which has suitable temperature and moisture for the pest insects to develop and multiply.