Relationship Between Maize Weevil Infestation in Corn at Harvest and Progressive Infestation During Storage1

Corn grain containing different levels of infestation of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky were stored varying lengths of time to determine the effect of the initial maize weevil infestation on subsequent damage to the grain in storage. Grain with initial kernel infestations ranging from 0 to 8% were included in the study. Results of tests showed that grain damage in storage caused by this species was directly related to amount of infestation at time of storage. Grain that contained no infestation when storage began was less than 1% damaged after 7 months. Grain with 1.2, 3.5, and 6.3% infestation when stored was 34.7, 43, and 63% damaged, respectively, after 7 months. The grain test weight decreased in proportion to the amount of insect infestation that developed. Angoumois grain moth infestation developed earlier in corn that contained the higher levels of maize weevil infestations than in corn that contained no weevil infestation when stored.