THE PREFERENCES OF Sitophilus oryzae ON TYPES AND COLORS OF CONTAINERS FOR POSTHARVEST COMMODITY STORAGES

J. Manueke, J. Pelealu, M. Tulung, O.R. Pinontoan

Abstract
    This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, Indonesia. The research objectives were to determine the types and colors of storage containers preferred by Sitophilus oryzae. The direct observation method was used on this experiment, by counting and observing the activities of S. Oryzae population. Results showed that the mostly preferred type of storage containers by S. oryzae was the gunny sack with population of 21.8, then followed by the bucket (19.0), and cloth sack (13.6), and the lowest population was found on plastic bag (10.2). The black container was the most preferred storage container by S. oryzae with the highest S. Oryzae population of 46.4, it was followed respectively by the blue storage container (33.2), the red storage container (28.4), the yellow storage container (12.2), and the lowest was on the white storage container (11.4). In terms of pest control, plastic bags and white containers can be used as one component for controlling storage pests, because it can suppress and reduced the populations of S. oryzae on this study.

Key words: preferences, Sitophilus oryzae, types of storage containers, color of storage containers, post-harvest commodities