Spatial Distribution of Insects Associated with Stored Maize and Assessment of Damage in Odienné Department (North-East Côte d’Ivoire)
In Côte d’Ivoire, maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most widely grown and consumed cereal after rice. However, this crop suffers significant post-harvest losses due to pests. This study aimed to map the spatial distribution of the main pests and to assess the damage caused to maize stocks. A sample of 189 kg of maize grains was collected from 21 storage structures across seven localities. The insects collected after sifting the grains were identified under a binocular magnifying glass using identification keys. This study identified 10 species belonging to 9 families and 10 genera. The most dominant and omnipresent species across all the surveyed sites were Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum. The highest mean infestation rate was 94.0 ± 0.48%, followed by a mean weight loss of 71.1 ± 1.85%. The findings highlight the importance of implementing monitoring strategies to develop effective methods for managing stock pests, given the high levels of infestation.