Wheat, Yam, Cassava and Corn flour obtained during fortnightly interval for
three months in Benin City, Edo State, were investigated for the occurrence and relative
abundance of various insect pests. Six species of insect pests were recorded. They includes,
Tribolium castaneum
,
Sitophilus oryzae
,
Dinoderus porcellus
,
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
,
Araecerus fasciaculatus and
Tenebrioides mauritanicus. The infestation survey shows
Trilobolium castaneum as a major pest of wheat flour. Other insect pests found are
Tenebrioides mauritanicus and
Dinoderus porcellus as indicated by their mean number and percentage abundance of individual species in this study but
Sitophilus oryzae does not thrive
in wheat flour.
Araecerus fasciaculatus is the major pest of yam and cassava flours while
infestation of
Tribolium castanuem in Corn flour was the highest.
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
and
Sitophilus oryzae occur sporadically in flours.
