Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Maize (greater grain) weevil (339)

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Photo 1. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; adult side view.

Photo 2. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; adult, view from above.

Photo 3. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, clearly showing four light reddish to yellowish spots at the corners of the wing case.

Photo 4. Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; another view of the four (very) faint, reddish spots at the corner of the wing case.

Summary

• Worldwide distribution. On rice, maize, sorghum, wheat, cassava, and other stored products. A destructive weevil.
• Attacks sound grains, leaving large cavities, and allowing secondary invasions by insects, mites, and fungi. Infestations can start in the field.
• Eggs laid in holes chewed in grain, then plugged. Larvae feed inside the grain, and pupate there. Adults, up to 4 mm long, reddish-brown to black with four light-reddish to yellowish spots on the wings.
• Spread with movement of stored grain; on the wing - the weevils are strong flyers.
• Cultural control: harvest at maturity; dry to 12%; keep storage rooms and areas clean; spray bins, and use new sacks; if infestations occur, locate and treat: if small - sieve,  freeze or wrap in plastic and bury; if large - fumigate. Store small amounts of grain in plastic containers.
• Chemical control: consult full fact sheet for details, and always check whether the product is for treating equipment, bins and buildings, or for treating grain for human use and animal feed. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. 

Common Name

Maize weevil, greater grain weevil, greater rice weevil

Scientific Name

Sitophilus zeamais

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

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