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Bug Catalogue
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Stored product pests, as well as house and hygiene
pests have become a serious problem during the past few years. Insects,
mites,
rats and mice do not belong into our food or the food areas. Not only do
they cause damage by their incessant eating but they can also carry micro-organisms
to working surfaces, implements and onto our food. The increase of food
and feed poisoning lately is partly caused by these pests. Through the
increasing use of natural fibres textile pests like clothes moths are also
doing more and more damage.
Here is a list of the most common storage, house
and hygiene pests. By clicking onto a name you can get information about
the particular
pest. |
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Grain weevil
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A weevil of 3-5 mm length; black-brown (red-brown shortly after hatching), the
head ends in a slightly curved proboscis; the neck shield has depressed markings
and is almost as long as the longitudinally-grooved wing covers.
The entire development takes place within the kernel of grain and is not discernible
from the outside; the completely developed weevil then eats its way out of the
kernel; the duration of the development phase depends on temperature, normally
taking about 8-16 weeks; under favorable conditions it may be as short as 5 weeks.
2-3 broods per year are possible in temperate zones; the weevil cannot fly.
World-wide; importance is, however, limited to temperate zones.
The main stored grain pest in countries of the temperate zones. Damage is caused
by the adults, but the larvae cause the main damage. Prefers wheat and rye, but
also feeds on corn, barley, millet, rice and buckwheat, less on oats; the weevil
also occasionally eats flour, whole meal or pasta; after mass infestation the
grain becomes warm and damp, this leading to the formation of mold; kernels damaged
by granary weevils offer points of attack for secondary pests.
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Rice weevil
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The appearance of this weevil is similar to that of the granary weevil; it is
however smaller (2.3-3.5 mm long), and differs from the granary weevil in that
it has tour reddish spots on the brown wing covers.
Develops within the kernel ot grain, like the granary weevil requires greater
warmth than the granary weeviI as it develops at temperatures above 55oF. Only
few weevils survive the winter temperatures of the temperate zones; in tropical
climates, the development of a brood may take only 1 month. The weevil can fly;
in hot countries, the rice weevil flies to the fields and lays its eggs on cereal
crops.
World-wide, through cereal trading. Of great importance in tropical and subtropical
countries.
A dangerous stored grain pest in warmer countries; it infests all types of grain.
The larvae can also develop in farinaceous products, buckwheat, peas, acorns,
chestnuts and cottonseed the weevil also feeds on flour hemp-seed biscuits waffles,
white bread and tobacco; often found together with granary weevils. The maize
weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) is very similar to the rice weevil, but larger
(3.3-5 mm) and the reddish markings on the wing covers are more clearly defined.
Otherwise, as for rice weevil.
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Cigarette
beetle
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A 2-4 mm long squat beetle, almost hemispherical, reddish-brown and covered with
fine hairs; the head is hidden under the domed neck shield, the wing covers have
no markings. The antennae are saw-like; the segments are practically identical.
The larva is very hairy and grows to a length of up to 4 mm.
The female deposits 20-100 eggs singly on the infested goods over a number of
days (at temperatures of over 68o F). After about 7 days, the very mobile larvae
emerge; as they grow older, they become less mobile and pupate in a cocoon of
food or waste particles after about 6-10 weeks. 5-14 days later the beetle emerges.
The total development period is 8-13 weeks. The adults are strong flyers and
are active in subdued light at temperatures above 65oF.
World-wide. They are frequently carried from warmer areas to temperate zones
where they can only survive in warm storages.
Attacks not only leaf and processed tobacco but also a large number of other
dry vegetable products such as herbs, oilseed cake, rice, cocoa, groundnuts,
figs, dates, paprika, etc. Practically all damage is done by the larvae.
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Rusty grain beetle
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A 1.5-2 mm long beetle, flat, wing covers almost twice as long as wide, reddish-brown,
head and neck shield relatively large, long, fine antennae. The slim yellowish-white
larvae are freely mobile and grow to 3-4 mm length. The yellowish-white pupa
lies in a cocoon.
The female deposits some 100-400 eggs loosely in the infested goods. The development
period from egg to beetle is 5-12 weeks, depending on temperature. The beetles
develop either inside or outside of grain kernels. They can withstand relatively
low and high temperatures.
World-wide, but found mainly in the temperate zones.
Mainly to all types of grain and grain products, but also to rice, dried fruit,
ground nut seeds, herbs and oilseed cake. Is found both as a secondary pest,
i.e. together with other grain pests, and as a primary pest in grain, as the
larvae and beetles damage the whole kernels. Rapid mass reproduction leads to
great heat generation in the grain. Severe damage can be done to seeds and brewing
barley, as this pest feeds also on the germs.
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Confused
flour beetle
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A slim beetle of 3-4 mm length, of uniform red-brown to black colour. Remark
to T. confusum: the segments of the antennae gradually broaden towards the tip.
Remark to T. castaneum': the antennae end in three-segmented clubs. The slim,
freely-mobile larvae are whitish yellow-brown and grow to 5-6 mm in length.
The eggs, which are laid loosely on the stored product, are not readily discernible;
the female deposits eggs for a period which can exceed 1 year, 350400 eggs on
Average. The total development period is 7-12 weeks, depending on temperature;
the larvae pupate loosely in the infested goods. Sensitive to cold; high humidity
favors development. The beetles seldom fly, and can live more than 3 years.
All parts of the world; in cooler climates, restricted to warm storages.
Beetles and larvae feed on a very wide variety of dry vegetable substances, for
example, milled cereal products, groundnuts, cocoa beans, legumes, spices dried
fruits, tapioca, oilseed cake, etc. A frequent mill pest; badly infested flour
has a sharp odor and turns brown; its baking properties are damaged. This pest
can also attack undamaged wheat kernels.
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Grain beetle
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A slim beetle, 2.5-3.5 mm long, dark brown; neck shield has two deep longitudinal
grooves and 6 sharply-pointed projections on each side. The slim, whitish-yellow
larvae are freely mobile and grow to a length of 3.5-4 mm; the pupa lies free
or between adhering food particles.
The female deposits an average of about 150 eggs loosely in the infested goods.
The total development period is 3-10 weeks, depending on temperature, nutrition
and moisture: the lower development boundary is approx. 65o F. In the temperate
zones, the beetle can survive the winter and live to an age of about 3 years.
World-wide.
Found in warehouses, silos, mills, food-processing plants; infests grain and
grain products, flour oats, semolina, pearl barley, malt, whole meal and other
vegetable stocks such as feeds and dried fruit. In granaries, it is usually found
as a secondary pest together with other grain pests; is, however, occasionally
found alone, as primary pest.
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Lesser grain borer
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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.
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 73o F. the development
period is approx. 4 weeks at 83o F.
In warmer countries. lt is carried into the temperate zones in goods where it
can only survive in warm warehouses.
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.
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Coffee
bean weevil
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This compact beetle is 1.5-4 mm long, dark brown with light brown spots and
long antennae. The footless slim larvae is curved and hairy and grows to a
length of 5-6 mm.
The beetle flies to fields and lays its eggs on damaged cobs. Larvae bore into
coffee beans in which they pupate.
It is found in coastal countries of the tropics and sub-tropics.
Mainly to corn, cocoa, coffee beans, dried fruits, nutmegs, ginger, etc. in
tropical stores. Is transported to the temperate zones in cocoa and coffee
beans but generally does not survive there.
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Cadelle
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The slim, flat, 6-11 mm long beetle is dark brown to black; ventral side antennae
and legs are red-brown. A particular feature is the waisting between wing covers
and neck shield, whose front outer corners extend towards the head. The dirty-
white larva, 15-18 mm long, has a black head, behind this a black shield, two
black hooks at the end of the body and long body hairs. The yellowish-white pupa
is 7-10 mm long.
The female deposits some 500-1,000 eggs in clusters in the grain or grain products
over the course of several months. The entire development period is about 1 year
in temperate zones, and up to 3 generations per year in the tropics. In mills,
the larvae are mainly found in clumps of Mediterranean flour moth webs, but also
in cracks in timber. Before pupation, the larvae bore into wood or make a bed
of flour and other materials. The larvae hibernate before pupation. The adults
are long lived, often more than a year.
World-wide.
Is a serious pest in the tropics. The cadelle is found in mills, silos and warehouses,
on grain, mill products, feeds, groundnut seeds, etc. Irregular borings are found
in kernels; germs are preferred. The cadelle gnaws through the bolting cloths
in mills, and through its tunnelling may weaken timber sections in mill equipment
and storage bins.
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Common grain mite
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Because they are very small grain mites are usually only detected when the infestation
is severe. The infested goods then appear to be covered with a moving layer of
dust. The female is O.5 mm and the male is O.4 mm long the body is transparent
white and sparsely covered with hair; the legs are pale violet. The adult mites
have 4 pairs of legs, while the larvae have 3 pairs, like insects.
Mass infestation by grain mites is only possible when the stored goods are very
moist. A female deposits about 20 eggs. The white, six-footed larva is 0.15 mm
long. Within a period of two weeks, it passes through two eight-legged nymphal
stages before becoming an adult. Occasionally the mite passes through a long
very resistant stage of development between the two nymphal stages, the so- called
hypopus stage.
World-wide.
Apart from grain and cereal foods, the mite also damages animal feeds, dried
fruits tobacco, etc. Infestation by mites leads not only to damage caused by
feeding, but also produces a bad odor and rapid deterioration of foodstuffs.
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Wood borer
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The adult beetle may wary in size from 6-25mm in length. Its overall colour is
greyish-brown to black, with light patches on the wing covers.
Although the average life cycle in Europe is from 3-6 years, it can last 10 years
or more. Some softwood timbers, infested in Europe and subsequently imported
into Australia have had an adult emerge from them 10 years after their arrival.
Very common in many parts of Europe, the USA and South Africa. In Britain it
is known as the house Longhorn beetle.
It attacks softwoods such as pine, fir, and spruce and so thoroughly excavates
the timber that it causes severe structural damage.
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Borer
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The borers are 3 to 4 mm long with an obvious, unconcealed head.
The female beetle lays eggs in the end of pores of the sapwood to a depth of
1-3mm. The larvae emerge through round holes about 1.5-2mm in diameter. The life
cycle from eggs to adults is completed within 3-12 months.
The borers are pests of structural and joinery timbers in houses and furniture.
They attack both hardwoods and pines. Attack usually occurs during the first
few years of the service life of structural and joinery timbers and furniture.
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| [ Printable version ] |
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