Detection of Grain Pests in Cereals: Performance of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Insect Detection and Quantification

SPIR is used in storage facilities to determine contractual criteria. Its use for rapid detection of insects is of major interest given the depreciation in commercial value of infested batches. Two spectrometers were tested to quantify or classify (presence/absence) live or dead adults and larvae of Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum in wheat and barley samples. The best quantification performance was obtained with the spectrometer that allows online analysis. SECV values ranged from 1.47 to 2.56 insects/kg for adults and from 6.82 to 26.65 insects/kg for larvae. The presence of insects in a sample can be detected with 95 % accuracy.