Impact of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) on quality parameters of milled rice

The impact of Rhyzopertha dominica, the lesser grain borer, on milling quality of Francis and Wells cultivars of rough rice was assessed for the 2007 and 2008 crop years by infesting 200-g rough rice samples harvested at moderate and low moisture contents with 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 parental adult insects, which were removed after one week. The samples were incubated for seven weeks at either 27 or 32 °C and 60% relative humidity to determine progeny production and feeding damage (insect frass), and subsequently the milled rice yield (MRY) and head rice yield (HRY). Progeny production from each parental density level varied with variety and temperature. The number of progeny produced by the parental adults was positively correlated with feeding damage, and the feeding damage caused by the progeny was in turn negatively correlated with MRY and HRY. For both years, more progeny production and feeding damage occurred in Francis versus Wells for each of the harvest moisture contents. Results show differential susceptibility of Francis and Wells cultivars to R. dominica, and also provide new methodologies for evaluating effects of infestation on rice milling quality.

► Rice varieties differ in susceptibility to Rhyzopertha dominica.
► Feeding damage from R. dominica progeny production impacts quality of milled rice.
► Progeny production of R. dominica in rough rice can be correlated with damage to rice milling quality.