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Granary Weevil
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Common Name: Granary weevil
Origin: Believed to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean region, this weevil is now worldwide in occurrence, particularly in the cooler regions of the world. In the U.S. it tends to be more common in the northern half of the country.
Biology: The granary weevil cannot fly, and therefore it has evolved to rely on human transport for its mode of dissemination, and in fact is rarely found in field grains anymore, but almost entirely within products in storage in human structures. It is not a major pest in homes, although it also infests acorns, and could be traced to that source if wild animals were storing them. This is an internal feeder, with the larvae obligated to develop only within a whole, enclosed seed or grain, such as corn, wheat, rice, etc. The female lays around 200 eggs into, placing them one at a time into a small hole she has bored in a grain. She then covers the hole with a film of gelatinous fluid. Larval development lasts about one month, the pupa stage about 10 days, and adults may live up to 8 months. There can be as many as 4 generations each year if conditions are favorable for development.
Identification: Weevils are distinguished by the long “snout” coming from the front of the head, with a pair of chewing mandibles at the tip. Their antennae are distinctly bent or “elbowed” about half way out, and they arise from in front of the eyes on the snout. The important food pest weevils are tiny insects, only about 1/8 inch long, and they are dark brownish black. The granary weevil is slightly larger than the rice weevil, has a much shinier appearance due to the less porous exoskeleton, and it is a uniform dark brown, having no light patches on the top of the elytra.
Characteristics Important in Control: Inspection to determine the location of infested products is important, and usually disposal of this infested material will eliminate the issue.
Call Chet’s Termite & Pest Management TODAY
To schedule your FREE inspection.
813 935-7554 |
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Rice Weevil
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Common Name: Rice weevil
Origin: Its origin is believed to be India, but it now is one of the most important grain destroying pests in the world, and is found worldwide.
Biology: Rice weevils are an “internal” feeder, obliged to feed as larvae only within whole, unbroken grains, such as wheat, rice, corn, or other seeds. Bird seed in structures sometimes supports these pests, and hard processed products such as pet food nuggets or dry pasta also may suffice. Both adults and larvae feed on these foods, and adults also have been observed feeding on fruit. Adult rice weevils can fly. Adult females live about 5 months, laying up to 400 eggs in that time. She chews a small hole in the kernel or grain and deposits an egg, which she then covers with a film of gelatinous fluid. The larvae remain feeding within the grain for as little as one month in warm conditions.
Identification: Weevils are distinguished by the long “snout” coming from the front of the head, with a pair of chewing mandibles at the tip. Their antennae are distinctly bent or “elbowed” about half way out, and they arise from in front of the eyes on the snout. The important food pest weevils are tiny insects, only about 1/8 inch long, and they are dark brownish black. The rice weevil has 4 large reddish or orange patches on its elytra, two on each side. It has a dull appearance due to the large number of large pores on its exoskeleton, and quite often the flight wings will be visible, unlike the granary weevil, which cannot fly.
Characteristics Important in Control: Inspection to determine the location of infested products is important, and usually disposal of this infested material will eliminate the issue.
Call Chet’s Termite & Pest Management TODAY
To schedule your FREE inspection.
813 935-7554 |
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