SEASONAL FLIGHT ACTIVITY AND SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF SELECTED STORED-PRODUCT COLEOPTERA AROUND GRAIN STORAGES IN SOUTH-CAROLINA

In field studies on the ecology of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and S. zeama is Motschulsky, an additional 19 species of Coleoptera that are stored -product pests were identified (Ahasverus advena [Walt], Araecerus fas ciculatus [DeGeer], Cryptolestes ferrugineus [Stephens], Cryptolestes pusillus [Schonherr]), Cryptophagus cellaris Scopoli, Cryptophilus int eger [Heer], Cynaeus angustus [LeConte], Gnatocerus cornutus [F.], Gna tocerus maxillosus [F.], Latheticus orzae Waterhouse, Litargus balteat us LeConte, Oryzaephilus surinamensis [L.], Palorus subdepressus [Woll aston], Platydema ruficorne Sturm, Rhyzopertha dominica [F.], Stegobiu m paniceum [L.], Tenebroides mauritanicus [L.], Tribolium castaneum [H erbst], and Typhaea stercorea [L.]). Sixteen of these species were cau ght on sticky traps placed at three grain storage sites in southern So uth Carolina over a 1-yr period. Seventeen species were present in pac kets baited with corn at the same storage sites over a 2-yr period. Th ese species were most active during warmer parts of the year, except C ryptophagus cellaris. Sex ratio of the Cryptolestes spp. was skewed to ward females in sticky traps and bait packets, except for C. pusillus in bait packets at one site. Sex ratio of O. surinamensis in bait pack ets was skewed toward females at one site, but did not differ from 1:1 at other sites. This study shows that many stored-product insects are active year-round in South Carolina, and that grain may be subject to infestation year-round.