Appearance:

A beetle of 2-3 mm length, red-brown to black-brown, slim, cylindrical in body. The hood-shaped, rounded neck shield extends beyond the head; the spots on the shield gradually become smaller towards the rear. The three last segments of the antennae form a loose club. The larvae are white, similar to grubs, and have brown head capsules; the white pupal stage is passed inside the grain kernel.

Life History:

In sufficiently warm climates, the beetle can fly well. A female deposits 300-500 eggs in grain and similar crops. The larvae can eat their way into grain kernels, and also pupate there. Development is only possible above 73° F.; the development period is approx. 4 weeks at 83° F.

Distribution:

In warmer countries. It is carried into the temperate zones in goods, where it can only survive in warm warehouses.

Damage:

Mainly attacks wheat, rye, corn, rice and millet. Badly infested wheat takes on a honey-like odor. Also attacks whole kernels as a primary pest. Both larvae and beetles bore into grains; irregularly-shaped boreholes are made and the flour produced by boring appears on the surface. Also attacked are beans, lentils, chick-peas, dried potatoes, tapioca and herbs.