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Most important insect pests of stored grains and pulses in Egypt.

Rodent species causing damage to stored commodities in Egypt.

  • Field rat, Arvicanthus niloticus Desm.
  • Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus Berk.
  • Black rat, Rattus rattus rattus L.
  • Alexandrinus rat, Rattus rattus alexandrinus Geoffro.
  • Roof rat, Rattus rattus frugivorous Raf.
  • Spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus Desm.
  • House mouse, Mus mus musculus L.
  • Birds (Aves.

  • Sparrows became a very serious pest in Egypt during the last few years probably due to the great reduction in the population of preying birds. They attack and feed on and damage nearly all standing and stored cereal grains and pulses. Six varieties of the house sparrow Passer domesticus exist in Egypt. Howevr, the local nile variety (niloticus) is considered the most destructive one to stored grains.
  • Pigeons (Columba spp.) They feed on cereal grains and pulses during threshing and storage and became the most destructive birds to cereal grains in open air storage in the shounas of the PBDAC and the pricate sector in Egypt.