Distribution and migration of insects and mites in flat storage containing wheat

Studies were conducted in a flat storeroom in central Greece, filled with approx. 90 tons of wheat, in order to evaluate insect and mite species abundance, and changes in population density and distribution among sampling units and locations. The surface of the grain bulk was divided into two sampling zones: the central and the peripheral (edge). At 10-day intervals, five wheat samples were taken from the central zone and eight from the peripheral zone, with a non-partitioned grain trier (1.6-m length, 250-g capacity). Fifteen insect species and 12 mite taxa were found during the sampling period, (June 1999–Feb. 2000). The most abundant insect species wereSitophilus oryzae (L.),Cryptolestes ferrugineux (Stephens),Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) andLatheticus oryzae Waterhouse; the most abundant mite species wereAcarus siro L.,Lepidoglyphus destructor (Shrank), and the predatorsBlattisocius tarsalis (Berlese) andB. keegani Fox. Grain temperature decreased during the storage period, more slowly in the central than peripheral zone; grain moisture content increased. The highest population densities for both insects and mites were recorded during September and October. The most numerous species of insects and mites showed an aggregated spatial pattern, as indicated by Iwao’s Patchiness Regression.