Abstract

Aims: Military Forces have to store primary food ingredients in order to have food security and provide foods for their personnel. Therefore detection of potential pests in warehouses can be very important in their control and maintenance of food. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and diversity of pests and also the rate of cereal contamination in the warehouses of military units. Methods: This cross- sectional study was done during 2007-9 in 9 unite of military grain storages. Sampling of cereals was performed according to the method of Standards Institute and Industrial Research of Iran. Separation of arthropods from cereals and beans was performed by direct observation, using the stereomicroscope, Berlese funnel, flotation, vapor exposure and etc. Data was analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical methods by SPSS 12 software. Results: Four species of pests including Oryzaephilus mercator, Tribolium castaneum, Bruchus lentis and Bruchus rufimanus were determined and respectively separated from rice, barely, lentil and broad bean. The warehouse 1 and 3 were the most contaminated places, respectively with mean 1.3±0.65 and 1.4±0.6 of grain per 100g. Barley with about 3.2±1.1 per 100g was more contaminated than other products. Conclusion: Contamination of cereals in the studied warehouses is often less than standard and in only two cases of barely stocks is more than limited.