Physicochemical characteristics of corn damaged by Sitophilus zeamais during storage

The objective of present study was to evaluate the physical and chemical damage caused by the adult insects of the species Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), self creation under controlled conditions (25 +/- 5 degrees C and 60 +/- 10% RH) in grains of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) AS-32, collected from an experimental farm for three storage periods: 30, 60 and 120 days. The experiment was conducted under the same conditions and consisted of four repetitions of 600 g of grain with 150 insects for each treatment. The analysis also performed with the product in natura were: moisture, weight loss of grain, 1000 grain weight, technological defects, ether extract, crude protein and population variation (emergence, mortality and survival of insects). The longest study period (120 days) showed the largest weight loss, presence of insect attacked grains, moisture content, population variation, and lower 1000 grain weight and lipids. One can conclude, based on these results, that the greater the contact period of insects with grains, the greater the damage and losses to farmers.