Assessing the food preferences of common varieties of maize by Sitophilus zeamais

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the susceptibility and food preference of five commonly cultivated maize varieties namely Local Chakhao Chujak, Mizo Local Purple, LMC-19, LMC-9,
and White Local under controlled laboratory storage conditions. Hundred grams of healthy grains from each variety were infested with 10 pairs of newly emerged Sitophilus zeamais. adults and observed for 45 days to assess per cent seed loss and weight loss. Results showed significant varietal differences in susceptibility. Chakhao Chujak recorded the highest seed loss (34.40%) and weight loss (10.43%), indicating high vulnerability, whereas Mizo Local exhibited the lowest seed loss (3.62%) and weight loss (1.17%), suggesting strong resistance. The susceptibility order was Chakhao Chujak > LMC-19 > White Local > LMC-9 > Mizo Local. These findings emphasize the role of varietal selection as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable strategy for integrated storage pest management, reducing reliance
on synthetic insecticides and preserving grain quality during storage.