Pest Management in Stored Products: The Case of the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Ethnopharmacology of five flowers herbal tea, a popular traditional beverage in Hong Kong and South China

BACKGROUND

It has been a long-standing tradition of using herbal tea for preventive and therapeutic healthcare in Hong Kong and South China and Five Flowers Tea is one of the most popular herbal teas. Based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions are to clear heat and dispel dampness in the body. Heat and dampness are thought to contribute to a range of health problems, especially during the hot and humid season in South China and Hong Kong. The most prevalent herbs in the formula contain bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids, which have a wide range of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammation, antivirus, antidiarrhoea, antibacteria, and antioxidation. However, with the composition varies widely, the ethnopharmacological benefits described may not be delivered uniformly. This study is to provide a comprehensive analysis on the composition of the Five Flowers Tea sold in Hong Kong and investigate the rationale behind the selection of herbs used in the formula. This study also provides information on the variation and quality of the Five Flowers Tea in the market.

METHODS

Thirty-three Five Flowers Tea samples were collected from various locations in Hong Kong. The size, texture, colour and organoleptic properties were documented. Macroscopic and molecular authentication methods were employed to identify the individual components.

RESULTS

Macroscopic identification revealed there were 23 herbs belonging to 18 plant families. The most prevalent herb was Bombax ceiba L., followed by Chrysanthemum morifolium. Ten adulterants and the existence of insect Lasioderma serricorne were confirmed by DNA barcoding techniques.

CONCLUSION

This study employed a comprehensive approach to authenticate the herbs in Five Flowers Tea samples collected from various locations in Hong Kong. Macroscopic and molecular methods were used to identify the herbs and adulterants. The findings revealed the varied composition in Five Flowers Tea and the occurrence of adulterants in some samples. This shows that quality assurance of Five Flowers Tea is essential for the effective use of this popular folk medicine.

Sampling Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in 2 coffee bean warehouses in New Jersey

Cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), is one of the most common stored-product pests. We monitored their population dynamics and distribution in two coffee bean warehouses in New Jersey, USA, using pheromone traps and sticky traps during September 2018-October 2020, and light traps in 2020. The two warehouses only implemented treatment procedures for controlling Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)) during the study period. The first L. serricorne adult appeared on pheromone traps from late May to early June when temperature reached 21-22 °C, and the last L. serricorne adult appeared on pheromone traps from late October to mid-November when temperature dropped to 10-14 °C. The majority of L. serricorne was caught during July-October. Light traps caught 5.5- and 2.2-times more L. serricorne per trap than pheromone traps in Warehouse 1 and 2, respectively. Warehouse 1 had a significantly higher density of L. serricorne than Warehouse 2. The L. serricorne activity peaks were not always clear and varied between year and the two warehouses. Zero to 3 hot spots, where had the largest numbers of L. serricorne, were identified from July to October in each warehouse based on pheromone traps, and their locations were similar through the months both in 2019 and 2020. The L. serricorne counts from pheromone traps placed inside warehouse were at least 2.3-times more than those placed outside. Also, the L. serricorne active period outside of the warehouses was shorter than that from inside of the warehouses.

Biology, Ecology, and Control of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae): A Review

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne(F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), is an important pest in the food and tobacco industry in many regions of the world. Despite a great deal of research, control of this pest still relies on the use of phosphine fumigation, which is becoming less effective as the insect develops resistance to this compound. In addition, series of other nonchemical methods used to control the insect have given mixed and irregular results. This review summarizes and discusses information on important aspects of the biology and ecology of the cigarette beetle, and its control. The topics covered include a taxonomic discussion of the cigarette beetle, which includes a discussion of other anobiid species of economic importance. The mating behavior of the insect and conditions favorable for pest development were described. The review also includes a discussion of the life stages of the insect, its feeding habit, and economic damage. Important aspects of its chemical ecology and a discussion on the association between this species and its microorganisms, and major natural enemies, were presented. A summary of its flight behavior, including the factors governing flight initiation and temporal and seasonal flight activity were reviewed. Finally, the control methods currently used in the management of the insect were described. The review also identifies potential areas of further research on L. serricorne and gives an analysis of the control methods worthy of further investigation in the search for practical and sustainable methods for the management of this pest.