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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
Further information
How the grain store environment affects pest levels
How to spot grain defects impurities
Available in print
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