Progeny production by Stegobium paniceum in different spices

Spices have long been an important component in the preparation of food, and some have medicinal properties as well. Stegobium paniceum, the drugstore beetle, has been detected in spices but no detailed information is available on its infestation in certain locally-available spices. Objective of this study was to find out the degree of infestation by S. paniceum in ten different spices. Twenty adults of S. paniceum were introduced into a vial containing a particular spice, maintained for two weeks and shifted out. These were maintained under ambient environmental conditions and the progeny adults emerged in each medium was counted at two week intervals for three months. The progeny produced varied with the food medium; the highest progeny was recorded in coriander whereas the lowest progeny was recorded in cinnamon, clove, dill seeds, cardamom, chilli, pepper corn and turmeric powder. This study reveals that S. paniceum infests a wide array of spices at different levels. This information is important for taking necessary steps to protect the spices from the infestation of S. paniceum.