Storage losses in tropical stored products caused by insect pests

Abstract

Insects play a dominant role in the biodeterioration of tropical stored products. As a result, experimental studies of loss have predominately been been related to insect infestation. It is well known that effective control of insects will always lead to considerable prevention of storage loss. In this paper, the concept of "loss" is defined and distinguished from "damage" in stored products technology; the genesis of insects in stored crops is speculated and the factors responsible for their proliferation. are discussed. The various types of biodeterioration of stored products consequent upon insect infestation are usually classified into: weight loss, loss in viability, loss of nutrients, contamination by insect excrement, heating, public health risks and economic loss. The relative importance of each classification and inter-relationship between them are discussed. A review of available literature on losses of some grains legumes in Nigeria and a few other African countries is presented. It is clear that in spite of reports of much serious work, considerable uncertainty still surrounds the magnitude of storage losses of individual crops. This uncertainty was speculated to arise from differences in methodology and definitions. Suggestions are given for more researchers to be conducted at the farmer level as these might be areas of tremendous storage losses