D3053: Stored rice resistance to Rhyzopertha dominica between varieties

Differences in rice variety can strongly influence stored grain pest development and reproduction. The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, is the most damaging pest of stored grains in the United States; however, it is unknown how if its development is influenced by today’s commercially grown rice varieties. We compared lesser grain borer development and reproductive success on 13 commercially grown rice varieties. We introduced 10 mixed-sex lesser grain borers to vials of rice. After two-weeks we removed the adults and weighed frass from each vial. The vials were then monitored for another six weeks, during which we recorded progeny counts, sex, weights, eclosion dates, and finally damage by progeny. We found significant differences between varieties with these measures, suggesting differential susceptibility and resistance. This information will be essential integrated pest management plans in stored rice.