Insects and mites in stored grain

Discover the insect and mite species that are commonly found in stored grain. Identify the ones that damage grain directly and indirectly (mould or hygiene issues), as well as the most common non-damaging species.

A sign of suboptimal storage conditions, the presence of live insects and mites is unacceptable to processors and can result in damage to grain. To check for insects, sieve representative samples (typically using a 2mm mesh) and inspect the material thoroughly.

The images below show the most common species (over 50 species may occur in grain stores). 

Primary pest: Grain-damaging species

Saw-toothed grain beetle

Oryzaephilus surinamensis

Rust-red grain beetle

Cryptolestes ferrugineus

Grain weevil

Sitophilus granarius

Foreign grain beetle

Ahasverus advena





Flour mite

Acarus siro

Cosmopolitan food mite

Lepidoglyphus destructor

Lesser grain borer

Rhyzopertha dominica




Secondary pest: Mould or hygiene-related species

Brown house moth

Hofmannophila pseudospretella

White-shouldered house moth

Endrosis sarcitrella

Hairy fungus beetle

Typhaea stercorea

White-marked spider beetle

Ptinus fur





Mould beetle

Cryptophagus species


Plaster beetle

Lathridiidae


Booklice

Psocoptera species


Non-damaging or stray species

Rove beetle

Staphylinidae

Ground beetle

Carabidae

Narrow-necked harvest beetle

Anthicus floralis

Clover weevil

Sitona species





Predatory mite

Gamasina

Predatory mite

Cheyletus eruditus



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