A visual scale of loss assessment for dried sweet potato chips due to Araecerus fasciculatus Degeer (Coleoptera: Antbribidae) infestation on-farm

Abstract

A visual scale of damage was established on dried sweet potJJto chips infested by Araeceru.s ja)·ciculatus under prevailing
ambient conditions in the laboratory. The dried chips had been stored for the duration of one week to six months. Five
classes of chip damage, including theil· end-uses, were identified. The classes ranged from 1-5, where Class ) chips were
undamaged and Class S the most severely damaged. Severity of damage was established at 0, 0.06, 0.23, 0.60 and 0.74 holes
per- em' ior the damage class categol'ics 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Weight losses were estimated at 0, 19.2, 20.6, 61-fi anc
85.1% for damage classes I, 2, 3, 4 aud 5 •·espectivery. The eud-use of chips in each ciass category declined drastically wit!;
increasing levels <•f a a mage. Reference photographs of each class category were obtained. The need for a visuai scale of
loss assessment for dried sweet potafo in storage is apprais:;c.