Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Stored Product Pests: Confused Flour Beetle | Drugstore Beetle | Indian Meal Moth | Rice Weevil | Saw-toothed Grain Beetle

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Rice Weevil	Sitophilus Oryzae (Linnaeus)	Insecta	Coleoptera	Curculionidae

	Size:
	Tiny insects about 1/8 inch (3-4 mm) long.
	Characteristics:
	Long “snout” coming from front of head with a pair of chewing mandibles at the tip. Adult's elytra (fore-wings) usually have 4 faint red to yellow spots; deep pits on thorax are round or irregular in shape; midline of pronotum (top body plate) usually puncture-free. Wings are fully developed, used for flight. Male's snout is shorter, wider and with more distinct punctures than female’s. Larva is legless, thickened in the middle with humpback appearance, and fairly smooth; 7-8 tiny fingerlike sensory projections on the lower mouthpart.
	Color:
	Adult is dull reddish brown; larva is creamy white with brownish-black head.
	Where Found:
	Believed to have originated in India. Found all over the world, especially in warm climates. In the U.S., widely distributed in field and stored grain.
	Comparison:
	It takes an expert to tell the difference between a Rice Weevil and a Maze Weevil. The Granary Weevil does not have pale areas on wing covers, and the pits on the thorax are elongated in shape. The Broadnosed Grain Weevil has a short broad snout, the length being approximately twice the width, or less.
	Habitat:
	As with most grain infesting insects, they live near or within the food source.
	Food:
	Corn, wheat, rice, rye, buckwheat, cereals, beans, nuts, cotton, grapes, apples, pears. Breakfast cereal holds 'surprises' at times if left in a forgotten place too long.
	Biology:
	Female bores a hole in kernel of grain, lays an egg, then seals the hole with a gelatinous material. Lays 300-400 eggs in a lifetime, but seldom in winter. The cooler the temperature, the less egg-laying. Larvae go through 3-4 instars (stages) in about 18 days, and pupate for about 6 days. Adults stay in grain kernel for 3-4 days until it is hardened and mature. Complete life cycle can be as short as 32 days in summer. Adult may live 3-6 months.
	Damage:
	Destroy crops and stored grain.
	Invasion:
	In southern U.S. adults fly from stored grain to crops in the field, which in turn goes into storage, continuing the infestation. Adults are also attracted to light.
	Control:
	When controlling stored product pests, the following six-step process should be implemented: 1) Prevention- Inspect incoming products. Reduce entry points that insects may be using to enter the structure. 2) Good Sanitation- Eliminate spilled or damaged products. Completely empty storage areas and check all products carefully for signs of infestation. Vacuum up any spilled products, especially in cracks and crevices where spilled products can accumulate. 3) Proper Storage- Store products in entry-proof containers. Eliminate cardboard containers or paper containers that are easier to penetrate by larva or adult stages of insects. 4) Stock Rotation- Do not forget old products in the back of storage areas. Old products are subject to attack because of sitting undisturbed, possibly damaged. 5) Ventilation- Reduction of moisture content in stored products is important. Many stored product pests require high humidity conditions to survive. 6) Control- Treatment of prepared pantry storage areas is required due to the habits of some stored product pests that pupate away from the infested products. Summary- Finding and eliminating the source is the best way to achieve long-term control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.