There is considerable debate over the importance of losses associated with insect pests of stored wheat at the farm level in Ethiopia. A survey was conducted to assess the most significant insects and losses of farm-stored wheat in five districts in Amhara, Oromiya, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, and Tigray regional states of Ethiopia during 2016. One kg samples of stored wheat seed were collected over a period of eight months from 150 farmers. The samples were kept in the laboratory for approximately six weeks to allow the population of insects present to develop and emerge as adults. After adult emergence, the resultant weight loss, seed damage, and loss of seed germination were determined. Major primary insect pests identified were the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius, Sitophilus spp., and the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella. Secondary pests such as Tribolium spp., the India meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, and Liposcelis spp. were detected in a few samples. Wheat experienced mean percentage kernel damage that ranged from 3.6 to 13.6%. Mean weight loss due to insects was 1.5%, while mean seed germination was only 72.3%. The present survey indicated that farmers are incurring a considerable loss in the quantity and quality of stored wheat due to insects. Hence, there is an urgent need to devise appropriate tactics for protecting the losses in farm-stored wheat in Ethiopia.
