Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) feeding and oviposition preferences on selected Malaysian rice / Muhamad Muqri Mahmud

Sitophilus oryzae, also known as the rice weevil, is one of the most destructive and common major cereal pests that wreak havoc on stored grains like rice and other crops including wheat, split peas, and corn. This research was carried out to understand the rice feeding preference and also the oviposition distribution of S. oryzae to develop a more effective pest management technique. Nine different types of rice were prepared for this study by dividing the sample into nine compartments in a plastic container, with a tiny space connecting each compartment. Adult S. oryzae were randomly chosen, released in every compartment, and monitored for 7 weeks. The finding reveals that brown rice (Fiona) had the highest feeding and oviposition preference by S. oryzae followed by red rice (Jasmine Nutri Rice), local white rice (Cap Rambutan), imported white rice (Floral), japonica rice (Sumo Calrose Rice), fragrant rice (Jasmine Sunwhite), basmati rice (Moghul Faiza Brasmathi), ponni rice (Sunflower), glutinous rice (Beras Orkid Faiza). The pattern of distribution also had been identified towards the rice weevil for all of the replicates in 7 weeks which is clump distribution. Therefore, the knowledge based on research about the rice weevil population structuring, particularly by the preference for rice and oviposition is important for implementing more effective pest management techniques.