Primary insect pests

Insects considered as primary pests of stored products cause damage to stored grains by directly feeding on the grain at some point in their lifecycle. Primary pests will attack grains that are intact and stable (whole sound grain is stable when its temperature and moisture content are below the levels needed for germination). Primary pest species often develop and reproduce very quickly when the conditions are optimal. This allows for large populations and therefore considerable damage to ensue within a matter of a few months.

Many species of stored product beetles feed internally in grain kernels as larvae. Rusty grain beetles, weevils, and lesser grain borer all develop initially inside the kernel. Of the moths, only the Angoumois grain moth is an internal feeder.

List of primary insect pests

The primary pests are organized alphabetically by order, family, and scientific name. Select the common name and you will be linked directly to the corresponding information about that pest.

*One of the eight common insect pests

References

1. Bousquet, Y. 1990. Beetles associated with stored products in Canada: An identification guide. Ottawa, ON: Agriculture Canada.
2. Campbell, J.M, M.J. Sarazin and D.B. Lyons. 1989. Canadian beetles (Coleoptera) injurious to crops, ornamentals, stored products, and buildings. Ottawa, ON: Agriculture Canada.
3. Gorham, J.R. ed. 1987. Insect and mite pests in food: An illustrated key. Vol 1. Washington DC: United States Department of Agriculture.
4. Gorham, J.R. ed. 1987. Insect and mite pests in food: An illustrated key. Vol 2. Washington DC: United States Department of Agriculture.
5. Rees, D. 2004. Insects of stored products. CSIRO publishing. Collingwood, VIC: Australia.
6. Sinha, R.N and F.L. Watters. 1985. Insect pests of flour mills, grain elevators, and feed mills and their control. Ottawa, ON: Agriculture Canada.