The moth has a wing expanse of 13-19 mm and a length of 6-9 mm. The forewings are clay-yellow and without markings; the hind wings are grey. The rear edges of the forewings and hind wings have long fringes.
Life History:
The female lays an average of 150 eggs. The caterpillar bores into a grain kernel after emerging from the egg, remaining there until fully developed. The development period depends on temperature; in Central Europe one, in warmer countries several generations per year.
Distribution:
Temperate-zone countries and the tropics.
A primary pest of grain, which may be attacked in the field, although most damage occurs in storage. Attacks all types of cereal grains, particularly corn and wheat. The weight losses can be as much as 50% for wheat and 24% for corn. Badly infested grain has a sickening smell and taste that makes it unpalatable.
Control:
Heating the grain to 60o
C will kill all stages of development of the grain moth, but the germinative
capacity of the grain is highly decreased and the flour no longer suitable
for baking. It is advisable to fumigate infested mills, silos or storehouses
with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Australian Spider Beetle Ptinus tectus Boield.
An oval beetle of 2.5-4 mm length, sharply waisted between neck shield and abdomen; dark brown, with flat-lying yellowish-brown hairs; the wing covers have fine lines of dots and no patches. The larvae are yellowish-white, grub-like, have a brown head and sparse hair growth, and grow to 5-7 mm length.
Life History:
After shedding 3 skins, the larva pupates, usually in a self-spun cocoon. One can expect 2 or 3 generations per year, depending upon whether rooms are unheated or heated. The pest survives the winter in all stages of development.
Distribution:
Originally only found in Australia, now practically world-wide.
Damage: (No photo available at this time )
The beetles and larvae are omnivorous and attack grain and grain products, pulses, rice, dried fruit, cocoa, spices, herbs and animal products such as fish meal and casein.
Control:
In grain and grain products
with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Cadelle Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.)
The slim, flat, 6-11 mm long beetle is 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.
Life History:
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.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
With DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®,
DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Carpet Beetle Anthrenus scrophulariae (L.)
The beetles are 3-5 mm long and of striking coloration. Wing covers and neck shield have black scales with a white, wavy design. The wing seam, margins and parts of the neck shield have marked red scales. The olive brown larvae have black-brown hairs and grow to a length of 6 mm.
Life History:
Beetles and larvae are found outside as well as inside. The eggs are deposited preferably on animal substances. The life cycle takes approximately 6 months, depending on climatic conditions.
Distribution:
World-wide, mainly in Europe and North America.
Damage: (No photo available at this time )
The larvae are found in woolen goods, rugs, upholstered furniture, feathers, etc. Through mass infestation they can cause great damage.
Control:
In warehouses and factories
with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Cigarette Beetle Lasioderma serricorne (F.)
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.
Life History:
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 65o F.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
In warehouses, freight cars,
boats and barges with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH
FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Coffee Bean Weevil Araecerus fasciculatus (Deg.)
This compact beetle is 1.5-4 mm long, dark brown with light brown spots and long antennae. The footless, slim larva is curved and hairy and grows to a length of 5-6 mm.
Life History:
The beetle flies to fields and lays its eggs on damaged cobs. Larvae bore into coffee beans in which they pupate.
Distribution:
Is found in coastal countries of the tropics and subtropics.
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.
Control:
In warehouses and ships with
DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Common Bean Weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)
The weevil is 3-5 mm long,
yellow-green to olive, mottled with darker brown and grey; the end of the
abdomen is yellow-red. The grub-like white larvae are hairy and grow to
a length of up to 4 mm.
Life History:
The female lays an average
of 40-50 eggs loosely between the beans; in hot countries, also in the
ripening pods in the field. The larva develops in the bean; several can
develop in one bean. Before pupation, the larva prepares a circular exit
hole which remains covered only by the skin of the seed ("window").
Distribution:
In most warm countries. In the temperate zones mainly in stored.
Attacks all pulses, particularly beans. Can reproduce repeatedly in dried pulses in store.
Control:
In silos, warehouses and
food processing plants with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®,
DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Common Grain Mite Acarus siro L. (Tyroglyphus farinae [L.])
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 0.5 mm and the male is 0.4 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.
Life History:
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.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
In grain with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®,
DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Confused Flour Beetle Tribolium confusum J. du V.
A slim beetle of 3-4 mm length,
of uniform red-brown to black color.
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 to yellow-brown and grow to 5-6 mm in length.
Life History:
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.
Distribution:
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 attach undamaged wheat kernels.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses,
food processing plants, freight cars, ships and barges with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®,
DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Copra Beetle Necrobia rufipes (Deg.)
The 3.5-7 mm long beetle
is metallic green-blue in color and has red legs. When fully grown, the
slim, grey-brown larva reaches a length of about 10 mm.
Life History:
The beetle can fly. The female
deposits up to 300 eggs. The larvae also eat the larvae of other pests
such as larder beetle and cheese skipper. They migrate before pupation.
The entire development period is 6-14 weeks at 77o F, depending
on nutritional conditions.
Distribution:
World-wide.
Develops on skins, hides,
guts and dried meat, on coconut and groundnut cake; often en masse on copra
in ships' holds.
Control:
In ships, warehouses, factories,
etc. with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Dried
Fruit Beetle Carpophilus hemipterus (L.)
The beetles are approximately
3 mm long, black-brown with a yellow transverse band on the slanting wing
covers. The yellow-white larvae grow to a length of 5-7 mm and have two
short spikes at the abdominal end.
Life History:
The eggs are deposited loosely
in the infested goods. The beetles seldom fly, are sensitive to cold and
do not easily survive the winter temperatures in the moderate zones. Six
generations may be expected in one year.
Distribution:
World-wide, but of importance
only in temperate climates, the tropics and subtropics.
Damage: (No photo available at this time )
The beetles and larvae are
dangerous pests in the dried fruit industry. But they also infest oilseeds,
dried vegetables and herbs.
Control:
In grain and foodstuffs with
DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Drugstore
Beetle Stegobium paniceum (L.) (Sitodrepa panicea
L.)
The beetle is 2-4 mm long,
of reddish-brown color, with fine hairs on its oval body. The head is hidden
under the uniformly-domed neck shield; the wing covers are finely patterned
with lines of dots; the last three antennal segments are particularly long.
The larvae grow to a length of 5 mm.
Life History:
The female deposits 20-100
eggs on suitable nutrients, either singly or in clusters. The tiny young
larvae can penetrate even the finest cracks, for example, in foodstuff
packaging; in the substrate they then form a cocoon of nutrient particles,
in which also pupation takes place. The entire development period at 63o
F is about 200 days, but only 70 days at 83o F.
Distribution:
World-wide
An important household and
warehouse pest, particularly when infested goods are left undisturbed for
longer periods. The larvae are omnivorous and are found in all possible,
vegetable substances such as bakery goods and other flour and cereal products,
herbs, spices, oilseed cake, etc. When badly infested, solid products are
full of small round holes. The beetles do not feed.
Control:
Heat treatment of 60-70o
C over a period of 12-24 hours serves to kill all stages of the Stegobium
paniceum. However, this treatment will also render most food unsuitable.
DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Golden Spider Beetle Niptus hololeucus (Fald.)
A 3-4.5 mm long beetle, of
spherical shape. The thick, flat-lying golden yellow hairs give the beetle
a brassy shimmer; the neck shield is sharply waisted at the abdomen. The
larva is whitish with a light brown head; the tip of the abdomen bears
thick hairs which are sparse elsewhere; grub-like, up to 7 mm long.
Life History:
The female deposits 20-40
eggs singly. After shedding 3-4 skins, the larva pupates in a cocoon. Entire
development period 4-6 months; usually only one or two generations per
year in warm storages. The beetle is relatively resistant to cold. Usually
develops in cracks and cavities in damp and undisturbed storages, and migrates
to adjacent areas, etc., particularly when mass reproduction occurs.
Distribution:
Europe, Asia, America.
Damage: (No photo available at this time )
The larvae show a preference
for cereal wastes and other vegetable substances in hidden corners. Migrating
beetles can cause considerable damage by eating holes in all types of textiles,
furs, skins, etc. (omnivorous) in accommodation and stores.
Control:
In grain with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®,
DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Granary
Weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.)
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.
Life History:
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.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses,
ships, barges, freight cars and food processing plants with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®,
DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Groundnut
Bruchid Caryedon serratus (Oliv.)
These dark reddish-brown
pests has smudgy black spots on the wing covers and is 3-7 mm long.
Life History:
It is found in the tropics
on whole and shelled groundnuts, both in the field and in store. Pupation
occurs outside the seed and also outside the shell, in a thin cocoon.
Distribution:
All tropical countries.
To groundnuts, pods of tamarinds
and other types of acacia found in the tropics. Is carried into the temperate
zones with groundnuts, but does not become established.
Control:
Bagged goods with DEGESCH
PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH
MAGTOXIN®..
Indian-Meal
Moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübn.)
The moth has a wing expanse
of 14-20 mm. When at rest with closed wings, it is 8-10 mm long. The outer
halves of the forewings are bronzy; the inner halves light grey to ocher
yellow. The caterpillars are yellowish-white, sometimes reddish or greenish,
with a brown head; they grow to a length of 17 mm.
Life History:
The female deposits between
60 and 300 eggs, singly or in groups, on suitable nutrients. The grown
caterpillars are active spinners; before pupation, they leave their food
sources and climb up walls. Pupation occurs in a cocoon. The life cycle
depends on temperature and is 2-6 months in Central Europe; in warm climates
it can be completed in 3-4 weeks.
Distribution:
World-wide.
In warehouses, silos, mills,
food processing plants and households, a large number of dry vegetable
materials are infested; for example dried fruit, in particular figs, groundnuts,
almonds, cocoa beans, marchpane, various seeds, herbs, etc.; more seldom;
grain and grain products, whereby only the germs are eaten.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses
and food processing plants with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®,
DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Khapra
Beetle Trogoderma granarium Ev.
The oval beetles are dark
brown, have smudgy yellowish-brown and reddish-brown transverse stripes
on the wing covers and are covered with fine hairs. The male is about 2
mm long, the female, up to 3 mm long. The yellowish-brown, spindle-shaped
larvae grow to a length of up to 5 mm; they have thick, reddish-brown hairs,
characteristic bunches of tail hairs growing at the rear end. Pupation
takes place in the last larval skin which is split open along the back.
Life History:
A female deposits up to 125
eggs, these being placed singly in the infested goods. The larvae can withstand
unfavorable conditions such as lack of nutrition and low temperatures for
long periods. The entire development period is 30 days at 90o
F, about 2 months at 77o F, and a number of years under unfavorable
conditions.
Distribution:
Originated in India, but
has been introduced into several countries of the tropical, subtropical
and temperate zones.
The larva is a very serious
stored product pest; the beetle itself does no damage. It is found in warehouses,
silos, mills, breweries, malt factories. It attacks all types of grain,
malt cereal products, pulses, oilseed cake, groundnuts, fish meal, etc.
Grain kernels are often hollowed out until only the husk remains. The edges
of jute sacks are often found to be thickly populated with larvae in infested
stores.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses,
ships, barges, freight cars, breweries and malt factories with DEGESCH
PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH
MAGTOXIN®.
Larder
Beetle Dermestes lardarius L.
The beetle is 7-9 mm long,
black, but the front halves of the wing covers are yellowish-brown and
bear hairs. The larva grows to 12-15 mm length, is reddish-brown to dark
brown, with brownish bristles.
Life History:
The female deposits about
150 eggs in small heaps or singly on suitable nutrients. The grown larvae
migrate to pupate, boring their way into wood, cork or other solid materials.
Both beetles and larvae cause damage in feeding.
Distribution:
World-wide.
By eating into animal products
such as skins, hides, guts, dried egg yolk, meat, preserves, etc.
Control:
In factories, warehouses
and households with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH
FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Lesser
Grain Borer Rhizopertha dominica (F.)
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 73o F; the development
period is approximately 4 weeks at 83o F.
Distribution:
In warmer countries. It 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-shapes boreholes are made and the flour produced
by boring appears on the surface. Also attached are beans, lentils, chick-peas,
dried potatoes, tapioca and herbs.
Control:
In grain and food storehouses
with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®..
Mediterranean
Flour Moth Ephestia (Anagasta) kuehniella Zell.
The moth has a wing expanse
of 20-22 mm. When at rest with the wings forming a roof over the body,
it is 10-14 mm long. On the blue-grey background of the forewings are transverse,
dark, wavy bars, with a row of dark spots at the tips. The caterpillars
are white, sometimes pinkish or greenish; head and neck shield are brown.
They grow to 15-20 mm. The brown, spindle-shaped pupa in the cocoon is
about 9 mm long.
Life History:
During the day, the moth
usually clings to ceilings and walls, and flies about at dusk. The female
lays an average of about 200 eggs. The caterpillars are very active spinners.
Pupation occurs in a cocoon covered with nutrient particles. The total
development period in Central Europe is about 3 months. In warmer climates
it may be completed in 4-6 weeks.
Distribution:
In most countries with temperate
climate.
The caterpillars live on
flour, bran, whole meal, flakes, grain, nuts, etc. They are serious pests
in mills where their webbing may clog machinery.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses
and food processing plants with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®,
DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Rice
Weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.)
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 four reddish
spots on the brown wing covers.
Life History:
Develops within the kernel
of grain, like the granary weevil; requires greater warmth than the granary
weevil as it first develops at temperatures of above 55o F. 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.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
In mills, silos, warehouses
and food processing plants with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®,
DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Rusty
Grain Beetle Cryptolestes (Laemophloeus) ferrugineus
(Steph.)
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.
Life History:
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.
Distribution:
World-wide, but found mainly
in the temperate zones.
Damage: (No photo available at this time )
Mainly to all types of grain
and grain products, but also to rice, dried fruit, groundnut 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.
Control:
In silos, mills, food enterprises, warehouses, ships, barges and goods vans with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Saw-Toothed
Grain Beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.)
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.
Life History:
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 approximately 65o F. In the temperate zones, the beetle can survive the winter and live to an age of about 3 years.
Distribution:
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.
Control:
In warehouses, plants and
mills with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®,
DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
Warehouse (Stored Tobacco) Moth Ephestia elutella (Hübn.)
The moth has a wing expanse of 14-17 mm; when at rest, the wings folded to a roof over the body, it is 8-11 mm long. The grey to brown-grey forewings have wavy transverse bands with dark borders. The caterpillars are whitish, yellowish or reddish (depending on nutrition) with brown head and neck shields. They grow to a length of 10-15 mm.
Life History:
The female deposits about 100 eggs, singly or in small clusters. The caterpillars cover the infested goods with webbing. Pupation occurs in a cocoon. The development period depends on warmth and nutrition. Depending on the season, complete development takes 2-6 months. Mass reproduction only in temperate climates, here also in outside locations.
Distribution:
Practically all temperate-zone countries.
The caterpillars live on dry vegetable materials such as grain, nuts, cocoa beans, chocolate goods, tobacco, herbs, dried fruits, mainly in such places as warehouses, chocolate factories, drugstores.
Control:
In warehouses, candy factories and in grain with DEGESCH PHOSTOXIN®, DEGESCH FUMI-CEL®, DEGESCH FUMI-STRIP®, DEGESCH MAGTOXIN®.
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