Varietal susceptibility of certain wheat grains to infestation with khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium (Everts) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) )

Wheat is one of the most important cultivated crops in all almost all countries of the world. The aim of this study was to the susceptibility of seven wheat varieties no-choice and free-choice mehods to the khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium (Everts) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) infestation was evaluated at 30±2°C, relative humidity 65±5% in the laboratory. Results obtained indicated that there were significant differences at (P < 0.05) between mean percent weight loss or damage, Sakha 95 was the most susceptible oppositely, Sids 12 was the least susceptible. After three generation of infestation, the highest infestation (26.40 and 25.60%) recorded in Sakha 95 with 16.67 and 18.49 % weight loss, while the least percent infestation (16.40 and 12.80%) was in Sids 12 with 9.70 and 8.15% weight loss, in no-choice and free-choice methods, respectively. Also, chemical analysis of infested grains of showed after three generations percent fat and carbohydrate was found decreased (1.23 and 67.71%), while percent ash, protein, moisture and fiber content was found increased (3.49, 14.56, 10.40 and 2.61%) in Sids12, respectively. These varieties classified as the most sensitive and tolerant; the remaining varieties were moderately sensitive to weight loss and their response to pest infection. Therefore, we can use these resistant varieties against T. granarium.