The document summarizes information about the rice meal moth (Corcyra cephalonica), including its distribution, life cycle, environmental factors that influence its development, and methods for managing infestations. The rice meal moth's life cycle takes 26-27 days and includes eggs, larvae, pupa, and adult stages. Temperature and humidity impact the insect's development rate and distribution. Management approaches include prophylactic measures before storage, fumigation or grain treatment with chemicals during storage, and the use of natural predators for biological control.

1. A Presentation on
Bioecology and Management of Rice
Meal Moth
PRENSENTED BY-
S.M. RAQUIB UDDIN KAWSHER
ID NO.:19 ENTOM JJ-31M
Reg.No.:43034
Session:2019-20
ASSIGNED BY-
Mohammed Abul Monjur Khan
Professor
Department of Entomology
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Mymensingh-2202

2. Name: Rice moth
Sc Name: Corcyra cephalonica
Family: Pyralidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Distribution: South and south-east Asia including Bangladesh.
Pest Characteristics
1. The adult moth is pale-grayish brown in color. Head, thorax,
abdomen and other appendages are covered with grayish scales.
2. Larvae are soft bodied, elongated and have a prominent
light brownish head.
Host range: Stored cereals, oil seeds, pulses, cassava etc.

4. Egg
Larva
Pupa
120-150 eggs, during its
4-5 days life span
[Incubation period: 3-4 days]
[20-40 days]
[9-12 days]
[5-10 days]
[Developmental
period: 26-27 days]
[28°C and 70% RH]
Life cycle of C. cephalonica

5.  Temperature and Relative humidity are important environmental factors in regulating the
rate of metabolism, growth, development, reproduction, general behavior and distribution
of insect pests are largely controlled by it.
 Developmental period is 26-27 days at 28 C and 70% R.H. but the maximum developmental
time at 20C and 40% R.H. taking 92 days.
 Larval period is maximum 63.73 days at 20C and minimum 33.90 days at 40C
 Pupal period is not affected so much. Optimum pupal period is 9-12 days at 28C and
70%R.H.
 Adult longevity is maximum 16.30 days at 40% R.H. and minimum 8 days at 80% R.H.
Bioecology of C. cephalonica

6. Management of Rice Meal Moth
A. Prophylactic/Protective/Preventive measures
a. Before storing (No Chemicals)
 Before storage the intact grain must be separated from broken or injured grain.
 Grain must be cleaned off and free from any insect pests or refuges.
 Grain must be well dried (Moisture level should be at 8-10%) so that insects cannot infest the
grain.
 Godown or container should be cleaned and must be free of cracks or crevices. All cracks and
crevices in the godown should be filled up with cement.
 Godown should be have free ventilation so that grain may remain dry.
 Old bags and other containers should not be allowed inside the godown.
 Essential are the regular inspection of stored products and the adoption of appropriate control
measure when pests are round.

7. b. Use of Chemicals
 Two tablets of Phostoxin (Aluminium phosphide) each of 3 g per 1 ton grain are very much
useful protective measure in large godowns.
 Fumitox tablet can be used @ 4-6 tabs/1000 kg seeds.
 Grain should be stored by mixing 10% Sevin or Malathion dust @ 1 Ibs/40 mounds (only for seed
purpose) or 1 Ibs/80 mounds (for general consume).
 Grain bins and containers (Jute bag or other bags) should be treated with Malathion 50 E @0.25
ml/L or Fenitrothion 50 EC @ 0.25 ml/L or Deltamethrin 2.5% @ 0.75 g/L water before storing
the grains.
 Use of mixture of 120 g of the powder of Neem+ Nishida+ Bishkatali per mound of grain (only
for seed purposes).

8. B. Curative/Remedial Measures
 Seed should be treated with Ethylene di chloride (ED) or Carbon tetrachloride (CT) @ 1-1.5
Ibs/15 mounds.
 DDVP/Vapona @1-2 oz/100 cft area.
 Dusting with 10% Sevin/Malathion @ 8 oz/100 cft of stock
 Use of Methyl bromide (MB) @ 1-1.5 Ibs/1000 cft area, an exposure period of 24 hrs.
 Dusting with Agrocide-3 @ 8 oz/100 square feet of stock surface.
 Applying EDCT (Ethylene dichloride with Carbon tetrachloride) 3:1 killopter or DDVP (Dimethyl
dichlorovinyl phosphate) @ 1-2 oz/1000 cft.

9. C. Biological Control
 This is a safe method to get rid of insect pests of stored grain.
 Some of the biological species which are predators of the infecting pest are listed:
Sl. No. Natural Enemy Type Life Stage
1 Acaropsellina docta Predator Eggs/Larvae
2 Amphibolous venator Predator Larvae
3 Antrocephalus mitys Parasite Larvae/Pupae
4 Blattisocious keegani Predator Eggs/Larvae
5 Artema atanta Predator Larvae/Pupae