General
Reddish-brown beetle, with an oblong, flattened
appearance. Adults are 1.5mm-2.5mm in length. The antennae may be as
long as the body. The larva has six legs and paired hooks, urogomphi,
on the terminal abdominal segment. It reaches 4mm in length before
pupation. The larva forms a small cell of debris in which to pupate.
Eggs are laid in the crevices of grain or dropped lose within the foodstuff.
Significance
It is an important pest of cereals and their products. One of the
most important pests of farm-stored grain in the UK and may cause
serious heating of grain. Cereal grains, particularly the germ,
are the major foodstuff but nuts, oil seeds and dried fruit may
become infested.
Control
Any infested commodities should be isolated and destroyed or failing
this fumigated.
The structure and fittings of the infested area should be treated
with a residual insecticide. |
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