Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Grain Storage Bags Against Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infestation

Sitophilus oryzae (L.) is a major pest of stored cereal grains, responsible for extensive post-harvest losses that threaten food security and seed viability. This study evaluated the comparative performance of different storage bag materials—hermetic bags (HB), mesh bags (MB), and chemical insecticide (CI)-treated bags—on grain moisture retention, internal temperature, relative humidity, and the developmental response of S. oryzae. The stored grains were intended for both human consumption and seed preservation. Experiments were conducted for 70 days under fluctuating environmental conditions, with temperatures ranging from 18.57 to 44.14 °C and relative humidity from 11.00 % to 68.86 %. Results revealed that HB and CI-treated bags effectively conserved grain moisture (up to 19.66 %), completely suppressed S. oryzae growth (0.00 %), and achieved total mortality (100 %), preventing weight loss and visible damage. Conversely, MB bags supported high survival (76.33–100 %), severe grain damage (up to 80.26 %), and substantial weight loss (61.93 %). Overall, hermetic and insecticide-treated bags proved highly effective for maintaining grain quality and extending safe storage duration, ensuring better preservation for consumption and seed use.