Abstract

Protection of stored food crops against damage from insect pests and pathogens is a major concern for the food industry, farmers, public health organizations, and environmental agencies. Insect feeding causes damage to stored grains and processed products by reducing their dry weight and nutritional value (Follett et al. 2013). In addition, insect infestation–induced changes in the storage environment can create warm, moist “hot spots” that provide suitable conditions for storage fungi that cause further losses (Sung et al. 2013; Abou-Elnaga 2015). Molds may cause a decrease in the quantity of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and proteins (Lamboni and Hell 2009). Reducing postharvest food losses due to stored product pests is critical to ensure food security for our rapidly expanding global population. Stored product packaging is an important component of the food processing chain and a critical step in reducing postharvest losses, maintaining quality, adding value, and extending the shelf life of food commodities (Opara and Mditshwa 2013).