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USDA grant aimed at eradicating two stored grain pests
A group of scientists are researching ways to limit the spread of two insects that could destroy stored grain.
Kansas State University professor of entomology Tom Phillips tells Brownfield…
“The larger grain borer can cause severe damage to dried corn in bins and some other cereal grains, and the khapra beetle has the potential to damage all species of grains that we may store,” he says.
According to the USDA, the khapra beetle is endemic in 31 countries in Africa and Asia. The larger grain borer has been found crossing the southern U.S. border from its normal distribution in South America. The khapra beetle was eradicated by the U.S. in three southwest states during the 1950s.
Philips says if either insect became established in the U.S., it could disrupt exports like wheat.
“There are some countries that don’t get the khapra beetle, have never had it established and they would refuse to take our wheat,” he says.
Phillips says this project will aim to upgrade surveillance.
“So traps for monitoring and detection methods to control, which would include fumigant gases and maybe some other safer means to control.”
Phillips says methyl bromide, which has been effective for fumigation and quarantine is expected to be phased out.
The five-year project, funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, totals nearly $800,000. It includes scientists from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Kansas State University and Greece’s University of Thessaly.
Photo: Larger grain borer, courtesy Rob Morrison, USDA Agriculture Research Center for Grain and Animal Health Research.
AUDIO: Tom Phillips, Kansas State University
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