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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Intra-specific and inter-specific competition of the saw-toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and the merchant beetle, O. mercator (Fauv.) on stored dates

El-Nazir, S.M., El-Khidir,I., and Shazali, M.E.

Abstract

Intra-specific and Inter-specific competition of Oryzaephilus surinamensis and O. mercator were investigated at 30°C and 70 % R.H. in the laboratory on a Sudanese Gondaila date cultivar. In single species cultures the population growth of of O. surinamensis was much greater than that of O. mercator. The population of the two species increased to certain limits then decreased. The population growth curves of single and mixed species of the insects showed that the two species were competing. In mixed species cultures, O. surinamensis eventually eliminated O. mercator. The reproductive capacity of O. mercator was so much reduced to the extent of its inability to interfer significantly.

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 15 (2010) PP. 69-80