Comparison of Life Table Parameters and Digestive Physiology of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) Fed on Various Barley Cultivars

In this study, the effect of 20 barley cultivars were evaluated on the life table parameters and digestive enzymatic activity of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) under laboratory conditions (28 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h). Among barley cultivars tested developmental time of R. dominica immature stages was longest on cultivar Bahman (61.00) and shortest on Mahoor (46.60 d). The lowest realized fecundities were recorded for insects reared on cultivar Bahman (217.60); and the highest ones were observed for insects reared on Sahra (348.05 eggs/female). The net reproductive rate (R0) was significantly affected by various barley cultivars being lowest on cultivar Bahman (53.98) and highest on Mahoor (146.79 offspring/ female). Records for intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were lowest on cultivar Dasht (0.043) and the highest on Mahoor (0.066 day). The highest levels of amylolytic and proteolytic activity were recorded on cultivars Mahoor and EBYT92-10, respectively. By contrast, the insects reared on cultivars Dasht had the lowest levels of α-amylase and general protease activity. Correlation analyses showed that high correlations existed between the immature period, adult longevity, fecundity, and life table parameters on one side and protein content and particle size index on the other. The results of our experiments showed that cultivar Mahoor was a relatively susceptible and cultivars Bahman and Dasht were relatively resistant to R. dominica which could be useful in the development of IPM programs for this pest in store.