EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE LOSSES OF MAIZE GENOTYPES TO SITOPHILUS ZEAMAIS (MOTSCH) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITION.

A study was carried out during 2012 at Grain Research, Training and Storage Management Cell, Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to evaluate the quantitative losses caused by maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) on Eight maize genotype (NK-8441, MMRI-Yellow, 30K08, Agati-2002, SWL-2002, EV-6098, EV-1098 and Pak-Afghan) were selected. The experiment was conducted in a walk-in environmental chamber maintained at 28°C, 32°C and 35°C. Physical parameters included percent insect damaged and undamaged grains, frass weight, weight loss and number of insect emerged. Frass weight was taken three times by electrical balance, while determination of weight loss, dead as well as live adult, grain dust and other excretion produced during the insect infestation was recorded. The treatments effect showed a significant difference with one another, regarding their effectiveness. Result depicted that genotype MMRI-Yellow was observed to be most susceptible while 30K08 was found to be resistant genotype. More F1 progeny of S. zeamais was recorded at 32°C and followed by 28°C and 35°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]