Mycotoxigenic fungi associated with stored-product insect pests

Abstract

The association between mycotoxigenic fungi and storage-grain insect pests causes significant production losses worldwide and also poses potential health risks due to contamination by mycotoxins or insect fragments. The aim was to review the literature linking the genera Sitophilus spp., Tribolium spp., and the species Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) with the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi in stored products. The most common fungal genera were Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp.; and to a lesser extent, Alternaria spp.