What is the most destructive pest of stored grains?

Author: Dr. Fae Schinner V  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

In the southern states, the rice weevil is more important than the granary weevil or the cadelle, and world-wide it is considered to be "undoubtedly the most destructive insect pest of stored grain" (Cotton, 1963).

What is the most damaging crop pest?

Here are some of the most destructive pests in agriculture:
  • Locusts. Locusts are notorious in the agriculture industry. ...
  • Japanese Beetles. ...
  • Mormon Crickets. ...
  • True Bugs. ...
  • Corn Rootworm. ...
  • Colorado Potato Beetle. ...
  • Stink Bugs.

What is the largest stored grain pest?

The rice moth is distributed in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. In the larval stage, it is an important stored-grain pest in both India and Pakistan. It also infests rice, sorghum, maize, gram, groundnut, cotton-seed, milled products, cocoa beans and raisins. The rice moth is active from· March to November.

Which of the insects destroys grains?

Five primary pests cause most of the insect damage to grain in storage and shipment. These are the granary weevil, the rice weevil, the maize weevil, the lessor grain borer or Australian wheat weevil, and the Angoumois grain moth.

What is one of the world's most destructive seed pests?

The Khapra beetle is considered one of the world's most destructive pests of grain products and seeds.

Major insect pests of stored grain pest

What is the most destructive pest in the world?

Locusts (Acrididae family)

This is because in special circumstances they can gather in numbers of a biblical scale, moving across landscapes engulfing fields and devastating crops in a matter of minutes.

What kills the most crops?

Insects and Pests

Since the domestication of agricultural crops or the dawn of the agricultural revolution, insects and pests are the main villains of the crop. They have been competing with humans over farm produce. They damage crops in two ways: Direct injury and indirect damage.

What bugs are in stored grain?

Infesting stored grains as primary feeders, rice weevil infestations typically start in the field. In storage, the weevil can easily move throughout the storage facility destroying whole grain. Typically, smaller than the rice weevil, the adult granary weevils do not have wings or markings on forewings.

What kills weevils instantly?

To maximize your efforts and eliminate any weevils roaming around, clean your kitchen with warm soapy water and follow up with a vinegar spray. This should get rid of any pesky pests sticking around.

How to get rid of grain mites?

There are no good chemical solutions to this problem.

Wash out the rag frequently and keep it soapy. Cracks and crevices on counters or in shelving can be cleaned with the crevice tool of a vacuum cleaner to remove both mites and fine particles of processed foods that can keep the infestation going.

How to get rid of grain bugs?

Eliminate the Food Source

When you find grain beetles, you need to eliminate their food source. Identify any infested food items and throw them away. Remember, the grain beetles may also compromise unopened boxes and packages sealed in plastic.

What is the largest grain crop in the US?

The largest United States crop in terms of total production is corn, the majority of which is grown in a region known as the Corn Belt.

Are rice weevils harmful?

Rice and granary weevils are harmless to people, houses, furniture, clothing and pets. They cannot bite or sting and they do not carry diseases. They will not feed on furniture, the house structure or other items. The harm they do is destruction of the seeds they infest and the annoyance of being in the wrong place.

What are the hardest pests to get rid of?

In conclusion, termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches are the most challenging pests to eliminate from your home. Their ability to hide, reproduce quickly, and withstand many extermination methods make professional pest control services essential for effective pest management.

What is the most sprayed crop?

This is the complete list of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest amounts of pesticides this year.
  • Strawberries.
  • Spinach.
  • Kale, collard & mustard greens.
  • Grapes.
  • Peaches.
  • Pears.
  • Nectarines.
  • Apples.

What pest cause the most damage to farms?

What Insect Causes the Most Crop Damage?
  • Fall Armyworm. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has emerged as one of the most notorious pests in recent years, making it a contender for causing the most crop damage globally. ...
  • Locust Swarms. ...
  • Boll Weevil. ...
  • Aphid. ...
  • Corn Earworm.

What smell do weevils hate?

Put Out Some Cloves or Bay Leaves

Even if they don't do much to get rid of your weevil problem, at least they'll make your pantry smell good! These spices have a strong aroma that weevils find unpleasant, and they can be effective at keeping these pests away.

What do weevils turn into?

Larvae look like small, white, or yellowish worms. A larva grows inside the grain kernel and matures into a pupa. It forms a cocoon and changes (undergoes metamorphosis). Within a month, the weevil eats through the seed coat and emerges as an adult.

Is it safe to use flour with weevils?

However, you should always avoid using the flour in your kitchen if you notice it contains a hotbed of moving weevils and immediately throw it away. Don't try to get rid of the weevils you see, and try and save the flour; the whole thing might be contaminated with weevil feces, eggs, and carcasses.

Which is the most common insect pest on grains?

Primary grain pests
  • Lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)
  • Granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius)
  • Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)

What does grain weevils look like?

The adults are a reddish-brown colour and lack distinguishing marks. Adult wheat weevils are not capable of flight. Larvae are legless, humpbacked, and are white with a tan head. Weevils in the pupal stage have snouts like the adults.

How to control stored grain pests?

Management of stored product pests in Warehouses
  1. Maintain store house hygiene brushing the cracks, crevices and corners, removing all debris and cleaning the entire godown before storing the grains.
  2. Reduce moisture content below 10 %
  3. Dry all the bags, bins etc in the sun.

What is the number one killer of farmers?

Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of fatalities in the agriculture industry, accounting for more than half of all farm-related deaths.

What is the hardest crop to grow?

  • 7: Eggplant. ...
  • 6: Head Lettuce. ...
  • 5: Carrots. ...
  • 4: Muskmelon. ...
  • 3: Onion. ...
  • 2: Sweet Potato. ...
  • 1: Artichoke. Artichokes can be a challenge for beginner gardeners because of their climate requirements and a certain pest. ...
  • Lots More Information. Related Articles.

Does glyphosate stay in the soil?

In the soil, glyphosate generally breaks down within days to weeks, and the way it sticks to the soil makes it less available to untreated plants that may grow in the same soil at a later time (such as Julia's vegetables).

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