Arthropod Infestation in Samples of Stored Seeds in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Twenty-one types of seed samples (mainly vegetable and grass seed) were analysed in laboratory and 60% arthropod infestation (14 Acarina, 5 Psocoptera species) was found. The seeds of beet, grass, onion, radish and lettuce were most sensitive to infestation. Acarus siro was a dominant mite pest from all aspects (frequency, abundance and seed diversity infestation), followed by Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tarsonemus granarius and Lepidoglyphus destructor. Cheyletus eruditus was a dominant predatory mite. Lepinotus patruelis was the most frequent psocid pest.

Keywords

• mites
• psocids
• acarina
• psocoptera
• stored seed
• stored product pest