The
oral and poster presentations reflected a comprehensive program of basic
and applied research well suited to develop the necessary knowledge for
integrated management of stored product pests.
The program includes elements of chemical, physical, and biological
control, as well as detection and monitoring.
Novel
methods of chemical control being investigated include application of
ozone to bulk grain, application of insect growth regulators, use of
attracticides to lure and kill insect pests, and use of biopesticides.
The work on biopesticides is complemented by research on digestive
proteases and protease inhibitors.
Several
methods of physical control are being examined.
Research is being done to develop new or improved aeration
methodology, with consideration of targeted airflow, headspace fans,
chilled aeration, and ambient aeration.
Significant progress has been made in application of pheromones for
mating disruption, a method that seemed for many years to offer little
promise.
Recent findings by scientists in CIMSPIP have shown that mating
disruption is in fact feasible, and is well worth pursuing.
Heat treatment for disinfestation of processing plants is being
examined in detail, including behavior of insects under heat treatment,
resistance of insects to high temperature, means for gauging the
effectiveness of heat treatment, and a model for predicting survival of
insects subjected to high temperatures.
All of these methods are of potential value in an integrated pest
management system.
It
is encouraging to see that work on biological control of storage pests,
using insect parasitoids, nematodes, and pathogens continues.
This method has shown considerable promise as an element of future
pest management systems, and interest is growing.
Biocontrol is still hampered, however, by the lack of efficient,
economical methods for mass producing the biological agents.
Some research should be directed toward solving this problem.
Also, the
means that will be used to introduce biological agents into various
types of storage environments on a large scale should be considered.
Effective
methods for detecting and monitoring pests is essential for effective
integrated pest management, and several methods are being investigated
under CIMSPIP.
Project scientists have shown that monitoring for low levels of
carbon dioxide is capable of detecting bioactivity in stored grain much
earlier than temperature sensors.
This method may eventually supplant temperature monitoring as a
means of early detection.
The automated grain probe trap (EGPIC/Insector) should soon provide
an effective method of detecting and counting insects in stored grain
electronically, and will thus eliminate the need to enter bins for the
purpose of setting traps and counting the insects captured.
Insector may also be able to determine the species of the insects
captured.
The research directed toward determining sources of Rhyzopertha
dominica should
contribute substantially to wide area management of this important
pest.
The
modeling efforts of the project, which include simulation modeling of
insect populations, as well as physical models such as the model for 3-D
simulation of fumigant movement in bulk grain and the model for using low
levels of carbon dioxide to detect of bioactivity in stored grain, are of
paramount importance in developing, evaluating, and improving pest
management systems.
Modeling research should continue and even be increased if
possible.
Modeling and expert systems will be important in predicting pest
problems and making control recommendations.
