Progeny Emergence of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in Different Spices

Spices claim uniqueness as flavoring and coloring agents in culinary industry, and accompany medical properties. Previous studies have uncovered infestation of these important commodities by certain insect species but such studies on Lasioderma serricorne, the cigarette beetle, are scarce. The objective of current study was to determine the ability of L. serricorne to develop population in selected locally-available spices. Four replicates of each spice type were infested with one month-old, twenty adults of L. serricorne. The infested samples were maintained in the incubator at 30±1℃ and 65±1% relative humidity. These parent adults were removed in two weeks. The emergence of progeny life stages was determined at 1- month intervals for 3 months. In the first month, only larvae and pupae were available but adults were not developed; the maximum larvae and pupae emerged in fenugreek. In the second month, all the life stages were present in spices; the maximum progeny was in fenugreek. In the third month, larvae and adults were available but not the pupae; the maximum adults emerged in curry leaves while many larvae were found in fenugreek. This study reveals the successful invasion and reproduction of broad range of spices by L. serricorne adults. The findings are important in the protection of spices concerned from insect infestations during the storage. By contrast, the spices with high infestation level would be useful rearing media for developing L. serricorne population as required for experiments.