Development of Six Species of Stored-Product Insects on Multi-Grain Blend Supplement²

A multi-grain blend intended as a flour supplement to fill the void between brown and white bread and provide an economical source of protein and fiber was tested to determine the potential for infestation by six species of stored product insects. The blend was compared to a standard rearing medium and bleached white flour and was found to be a suitable medium for the rod flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variable Ballion, and the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker), were able to reproduce at reduced rates and only the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), performed poorly on the multi-grain blend. With the exception of the almond moth, development times for the other species on the multi-grain blend were similar to that of the rearing medium. Because of the potential for infestation, proper packaging and storage will be needed to protect this product.