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Wheat weevil

Wheat weevil

Sitophilus granarius

A species of Sitophilus, Also known as Granary weevil

Wheat weevil is a common storage pest. They bore into grains of cereal, causing serious harm to the grains in storage.

General Info About Wheat weevil
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Attributes of Wheat weevil
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Wheat weevil is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
The Wheat weevil can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Wheat weevil feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Life Cycle of Wheat weevil
Egg The egg of wheat weevil is laid in protected environments. These oval, whitish eggs hatch into larvae, marking the beginning of the life cycle.
Larva As wheat weevil hatches, the legless larva is focused on feeding and growth. They often have a creamy-white color and a distinct head capsule, but lack true legs.
Pupal After several molts, wheat weevil enters the pupal stage, encased in a protective cocoon. The creature undergoes significant transformation, gradually taking on adult features.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult wheat weevil’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Wheat weevil
3 - 4 mm
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Predators of Wheat weevil Larvae
Frogs and toads, birds, predaceous beetles, spiders
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Predators of Adult Wheat weevil
Birds, rodents, spiders, predaceous insects
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Interesting Facts About Wheat weevil
Wheat weevil can survive for weeks without any food or water, showcasing an exceptional form of physiological resilience.
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Scientific Classification of Wheat weevil
Tips for Finding Wheat weevil
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How Can You Attract Wheat weevil
The most effective trap food for wheat weevil includes grains or grain-based products as their primary food source appeals to their feeding habits.
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Habitat Preferences of Wheat weevil Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of wheat weevil are typically found in crevices within stored grains or seeds, where the female has deposited them. Larvae burrow into the grains and develop inside, making them hard to detect. Pupae develop within these kernels as well, shielded from external threats. To locate these stages, inspect grain storage facilities, examining individual grains for signs of infestation. Adult wheat weevil, on the other hand, are more mobile and may be found on or near their food sources. Searching for adults involves checking the surface of grain stores or nearby areas as they might venture out for mating.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Wheat weevil
The suitable time to look for wheat weevil is usually during the hours of low activity in storage facilities when they are less likely to be disturbed, usually at night or during early morning.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Wheat weevil
Indoor conditions where grain is stored are most suitable for finding wheat weevil, rather than relying on weather. However, if considering their activity, they might be less active in cooler conditions and more active in warm conditions.
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How and Where Can You Find Wheat weevil at Different Life Stages
Egg To find wheat weevil in the egg stage, search for tiny white or cream-colored eggs laid in crevices or directly on grains in storage areas.
Larva To find wheat weevil larvae, inspect grains closely as the larvae bore into the kernels to feed. This can be noticed by the presence of small holes and powdery frass on or around the grains.
Pupal To locate wheat weevil at the pupal stage, look for immobile pupae hidden within grain kernels or in the debris at the bottom of the storage container where they are undisturbed.
Adult For the adult wheat weevil, inspect storage containers and surfaces around stored grains for live insects or signs of their presence such as damage to grains or excrement.
Are Wheat weevil harmful?
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Wheat weevil is a common key storage pest that can bore into a variety of foods.

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Where do Wheat weevil come from?

The wheat weevil feeds on plant seeds and leaves in the wild, and usually doesn't fly into human homes. The wheat weevils that turn up in human homes are often likely hiding in grains when they are taken indoors.
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What is the most effective prevention against Wheat weevil?

Check grains. Regularly check your grain inventory at home. Avoid hoarding too many grains and carefully inspect for pest traces.
Buy rationally. Buy grains in smaller amounts and higher frequency. This way, the risk of pest infestation is lowered and fresher grains are kept available for consumption.
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Check purchased grains. Check carefully when shopping for grains in stores. If traces of the wheat weevil or other storage pests are spotted, do not purchase.
Use solid containers. Seal grains in solid containers. Clear glass containers are the best. This prevents adult wheat weevils from piercing through soft packaging and infesting other grains in nearby packages.
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Keep things clean. Sweep and clean the corners and cabinets in the kitchen and pantry often. Once traces of wheat weevil are spotted, act quickly and take measures.
Use black pepper intelligently. Place a small bag of black pepper at the corners of the pantry and cabinets. This may expel the wheat weevil effectively.
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How to get rid of Wheat weevil?

Dispose of pest-infested grains. Once the food is infested, do not hesitate to seal and dispose of it. Please note that the sooner pest-infested food is removed from the home, the better.
Clean the food pantry thoroughly. It's recommended to wipe and clean the food pantry with soap and hot water, or with vinegar and mint oil. Make sure to clean thoroughly, paying special attention to the corners and lower surfaces of the cabinets, walls, floors, and other storage shelves.
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Clean other containers. The many plastic and glass containers in the pantry used for food storage should also be cleaned. This is an indispensable step.
Freeze the grains. Put the grains in the freezer for a week. This effectively kills the pest eggs and larvae.
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Heat processing. Stir-fry or boil the grains until they are thoroughly cooked before putting them into storage. High temperatures could kill hidden wheat weevils in the grains. However, this processing method only applies to food ingredients. Grains saved for future seeding cannot sprout once heat-processed.
Chemical fumigation. When a wheat weevil infestation is severe, chemical fumigation could effectively kill them. However, this method only applies to seeds, not to food ingredients.
Harmful Effects of Wheat weevil
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Stored Produce Pest

Wheat weevil is especially problematic in stored grain facilities. The adults bore into grains to lay eggs, and the emerging larvae feed within, resulting in significant loss of yield and quality. As both adults and larvae contribute to the harm, wheat weevil can devastate whole grain stocks, leading to economic losses for farmers and issues with food security.

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Agricultural Pests

When wheat weevil infests grain stores, adults and larvae bore into seeds, reducing germination viability and contaminating produce with frass. Even a small number of pests can cause mild spoilage; large infestations lead to severe losses and could increase the risk of mycotoxin-producing fungi, potentially impacting human health.

More Effects of Wheat weevil

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