The purpose of this experiment was to analyze if different lightings, particularly of different colors and wavelengths have a direct impact on the increase and decrease in the population of P. Interpunctella that is typically found in stored grain products in warehouses. The fluorescent light colors of red, far red (red and blue), and white were used in environmental chambers under constant light. P. Interpunctella larvae, eggs, and adult mating pairs were placed in chambers for a given amount of time; censuses were obtained and recorded for analysis and comparisons. No significant results were observed from the three test groups, this indicates that there is no direct deleterious relationship between different qualities of constant light and the growth and development of P. Interpunctella.
Introduction.
Plodia Interpunctella commonly referred to as the Indianmeal moth is a serious pest to stored grain that causes millions of dollar worth of damage to the agricultural industry in many countries in North America as well in Europe and Australia. A single female P. Interpunctella which has a typical life cycle of 6-8 weeks may lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs on food materials such as corn and within a couple of days newly hatched larvae will start feeding on the preferable diet of grain, grain products, dried food, and nuts. However P. Interpunctella has a very diverse diet and may eat such food products like dried dog food (Agricultural Research Service, 1986). Thus P. Interpunctella larvae cause a great amount of damage to the agricultural industry worldwide economically by feeding on the foodstuff Damage can also be caused by the massive amounts of silk the larvae spins that accumulate fecal pellets, cast skins, and eggs shells (Knox, 1998). Many in the field of agriculture continue to use pesticides as the main mean of controlling P. Interpunctella infestation in stored grain facilities such as warehouses, food processing plants, and granaries.