Automatic insect removal bin
An insect removal bin developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu promises to remove insects automatically from stored food grains.
The structure has four major parts namely outer container, inner perforated container, collection vessel and the lid.
Special container
The grains are held in the specially designed inner perforated container.
The space between inner and outer container provides good aeration for the insects.
Insects, while moving, enter the perforation to reach the aerated part and while doing so, slip off and fall into the collection vessel through a pitfall mechanism provided in the collection vessel.
In order to quickly collect the insects, as and when they emerge from grains, perforated (2 mm) rods are fixed in the inner container.
Observation period
Representative samples (generally 1 to 2 kg) can be taken out by random sampling procedure from the fumigated commodity, immediately after fumigation and stored in the bin and observed for a period of 40-50 days, as generally it takes around 40 days for majority of the stored product insects to complete the life cycle.
Collection unit
Any free living mobile forms of insects if present in the commodity can be trapped immediately and easily be observed in the collection unit.
If the insect is an internal feeder and if present in the commodity then, after 40 to 50 days, the adults, may emerge and then enter the perforation of the TNAU air bin and get trapped.
If there are no insects collected in the collection vessel after this period under normal storage condition, then it means that fumigation has been carried out properly and effectively.
Good practice
TNAU has successfully validated the fumigation done by export firms using the above technique.
This sort of self assessment will be a good practice for better insect management leading to better quality produce (insect free) both for domestic as well as export market.
Dr. S. Mohan
Professor of Entomology
Department of Agricultural Entomology,TNAU
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
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