FACTORS EFFECTING ON THE POPULATION LEVEL OF CIGARETTE BEETLE (Lasioderma serricorne) IN WAREHOUSES OF HERBAL TEA
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Date
2015
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Ceylon tea as a beverage has been enjoyed by people all over the world for generations. It still has the value and interest as a beverage with many health benefits. Over a significant period of time, Sri Lankan tea industry has made progress in expanding the value added tea products. At present, Sri Lanka's value added tea exports include instant tea, tea bags, iced tea, flavored tea, green tea, herbal tea, ready to drink tea and organic tea. Herbal tea is becoming major segment of value addition sector. Herbal tea attract consumer for good market prices not only for tea's beneficial value but also medicinal value of the herbal tea. This experiment was designed to identify the optimum storing condition that depress the population level of the cigarette beetle. Temperature, moisture and light wavelength were tested in this investigation. The temperature level of 21°C and the moisture level of 5% helped to reduce the population level of the cigarette beetle. Red light wavelength records a significant reduction of population level than that of other tested wavelengths. Male to female sex ratio was identified as 1 to 4. Reduction of male insect population can lead to drastic reduction of whole insect population in the next generation as females would not have adequate males for mating. Longevity of the captured beetle was recorded up to 4 weeks. Thirty five percent of beetles were able to live up to 21 days while 25% survived up to 14 days.
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Tea Technology and Value Addition Degree Programme ( TEA)