Regulatory action criteria for filth and other extraneous materials v. strategy for evaluating hazardous and nonhazardous filth.

Traditional methods of stored-product pest control were initially passed from generation to generation. Ancient literature and archaeology reveal hermetic sealing, burning sulfur, desiccant dusts, and toxic botanicals as early control methods. Whereas traditional nonchemical methods were subsequently replaced by synthetic chemicals, other traditional methods were improved and integrated with key modern pesticides. Modern stored-product integrated pest management (IPM) makes decisions using knowledge of population dynamics and threshold insect densities. IPM programs are now being fine-tuned to meet regulatory and market standards. Better sampling methods and insights from life histories and ecological studies have been used to optimize the timing of pest management. Over the past 100 years, research on stored-product insects has shifted from being largely concentrated within 10 countries to being distributed across 65 countries. Although the components of IPM programs have been well researched, more research is needed on how these components can be combined to improve effectiveness and assure the security of postharvest food as the human population increases.

Evolution of Stored-Product Entomology: Protecting the World Food Supply.

The use of insect parasitoids and predators to control stored-product insect pests has many advantages over traditional chemical controls. These natural enemies leave no harmful chemical residues. Natural enemies released in a storage facility continue to reproduce as long as hosts are available and environmental conditions are suitable. Unlike chemicals that need to be applied to a wide area, natural enemies can be released at a single location and they will find and attack pests located deep inside crevices or within a grain mass. Parasitoids and predators that attack stored-product pests are typically very small, and have a short life cycle and a high reproductive capacity. They can easily be removed from bulk grain using normal cleaning procedures before milling. In many ways the stored-product environment is favorable for biological control. Environmental conditions are generally favorable for natural enemies, and storage structures prevent these beneficial insects from leaving. Several reviews have been published on the use of insect parasitoids and predators to control stored-product insect pests (Burkholder 1981, Arbogast 1984a, b; Haines 1984, Brower 1990a, 1991a; Nilakhe and Parker 1990, Burkholder and Faustini 1991, Brower et al. 1996, Scholler et al. 1997, Adler and Scholler 1998).

Parasitoids and Predators

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the detection of insect infestation in stored foods. Food materials of agricultural and animal origin are stored in different types of storage structures for future consumption or trade purposes. During storage, pest organisms such as birds, rodents, insects, mites, and microbes attack these commodities. Insect detection, in samples or in storage facilities, will continue to play a significant role as an effective management tool in the food industry. Detection methods applicable for commodity samples and in situ detection and monitoring in bulk storage and food processing facilities have been reviewed. Various methods are used to detect insect infestation in commodity samples. The choice of method depends on whether the infestation is inside or outside the food grains, in the surrounding premises or inside bulk grain, availability of equipment facilities, and required sensitivity. The methods developed have limitations of their own, limitations in their application, or limitations in interpretation of the results. Sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based methods have been developed to detect both single and multiple species in food commodities.

Detection of insect infestation in stored foods.

Insect population dynamics in commercial grain elevators

An Investigation of Insect and Rodent Contamination of Wheat and Wheat Flour

An Investigation of Rodent and Insect Contamination of Corn and Corn Meal

http://academic.oup.com/jaoac/article-pdf/36/1/150/32694604/jaoac0150.pdf

An Evaluation of Five Procedures for the Determination of Internal Insect Infestation of Wheat

http://academic.oup.com/jaoac/article-pdf/33/3/898/32692369/jaoac0898.pdf

Kenton L Harris

Papers

An Investigation of Insect and Rodent Contamination of Wheat and Wheat Flour

An Investigation of Rodent and Insect Contamination of Corn and Corn Meal

An Evaluation of Five Procedures for the Determination of Internal Insect Infestation of Wheat

Identification of Insect Contaminants of Foods by the Micro-Morphology of the Insect Fragments

X-Ray Examination for the Detection of Internal Insect Infestation in Corn