Investigation of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) susceptibility to red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)) infestation

<p>Protecting livestock feed from insect infestation is a common challenge that feed facility managers and farmers have to deal with. It becomes an issue of importance because insect infestation degrades feed quality and quantity. Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is added to livestock feed because of its high protein content. As DDGS usage in animal feed increases, understanding the susceptibility of DDGS, when mixed with livestock feed, to insect infestation is necessary for safe feed storage. This research addressed four questions. The first looked at the susceptibility of DDGS, when stored as a raw ingredient, to <em>Tribolium castaneum</em> (Herbst) infestation. DDGS susceptibility to <em>T. castaneum</em> was lower when stored as a raw ingredient compared with normal <em>T. castaneum</em> laboratory diet at 30% r.h.. However, increasing r.h. to 50% and grinding DDGS samples, increased DDGS susceptibility to <em>T. castaneum</em> infestation. The second question concerned the susceptibility of livestock feed that contains DDGS to <em>T. castaneum</em> infestation. Results showed that adding any amount of DDGS to animal feed will not change diet susceptibility to <em>T. castaneum</em> infestation and feed pelletization negatively affected insect development. For the third question, experiments were conducted to determine the chemical and physical characteristics of DDGS which may influence its susceptibility to <em>T. castaneum</em> infestation. Particle size was the main factor affecting DDGS vulnerability to <em>T. castaneum </em>infestation. The fourth question focused on the alternative uses of DDGS as bait for monitoring <em>T. castaneum</em>. Efficacy of traps significantly increased when a combination of DDGS and food oil kairomone lures were used compared with food oil or empty traps. Therefore, DDGS may be a good additive to food oil lures to increase trap efficacy. In conclusion, <em>T. castaneum</em> development significantly increased when fed DDGS. Diet particle size and environmental humidity had significant effects on <em>T. castaneum</em> development. As a result, it is recommended that facility managers store DDGS as a raw ingredient, pelletize DDGS if it is cost-effective, and keep the storage humidity at 30% or lower.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Entomology

Year

2015

Author dc:creator

• Fardisi, Mahsa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Linda Mason
• Klein Ileleji
• Michael Scharf
• Douglas Richmond
• Olayiwola Adeola

• Animal Diseases
• Animal Sciences
• Entomology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_dissertations/510

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:docs.lib.purdue.edu:open_access_dissertations-1430