Pests of Stored Grains and their Management

Food is a prime requirement for the survival of mankind. There is a Codex Alimentarius Commission, a global body under the auspicious of FAO and WHO, which works inevitably with the governments to ensure that standards and regulations agreed on globally and practical and enforceable at the production and consumer level.

Safe storage of agricultural produces/grains is a global problem more sever in the tropical countries because of high humid and warm climate. Storage of agricultural products particularly cereals, pulses, oilseeds, spices and nuts for a long duration is associated with the losses in quality, quantity, monetary and goodwill values. A considerable amount of stored products is damaged by the bio-agents like insects, mites, rodents, birds and microorganisms every year and insects occupy a key position among them. About 500 species of insects mostly coleopterans (Beetles and Weevils), and few species of lepidopterans (Moths), psocopterans (Psocids and Booklice), thysanurans (Mristal-Tails), dictyopterans (Cockroaches) and hymenopterans (Bees, Wasps, Ants) have been associated with stored grain products but nearly 100 species have been reported to cause economic losses.

The present book entitled "Pests of Stored Grains and Their Management" incorporates recent informations on insect and other pests of stored grains and grain products covering global scenario. Each chapter covers wider aspects of related work like needs and requirement of storage by the farmers, traders, govt. and other agencies; present status and future needs of storage entomology; types and extent of losses of food grains at post harvest handling; different types of storage techniques and prevalent rural and improved storage structures and receptacles; storage pests (insects, mites, rodents, birds, microorganisms etc.); fumigants and their use; safety measures against poisoning; insecticide resistance management, management of stored grain pests etc.

This book will serve as a valuable source of information on this subject and would be of great importance for the students, teachers and researchers and those interested in protecting the stored products from pests at domestic and/or commercial level.