1. Stored Product Pests and Their Control
Dr. Richard M. Houseman
Department of Entomology
University of Missouri

2. Stored Product Pests Two main orders
Order Coleoptera
Beetles
300,000 species world-wide
40,000 species in U.S.
Order Lepidoptera
Butterflies
112,000 species world-wide
11,000 species in U.S.
Damage is done mostly by the immature stages.

3. Missouri Stored Product Pests
12 Important Pests
10 beetles
2 moths
Can be divided into two main feeding groups
Pests of whole grains
Consume the grain embryos (protein)
Pests of processed grains

4. Whole Grains Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) Granary weevil
(Sitophilus granarius)
More common in granaries and mills
Pierce grains with beak and lay eggs inside
Many cereal grains and seeds infested
Several are found in storerooms, pantries, garages

5. Whole Grains Lesser grain borer
(Rhyzopertha dominica)
Infests grains in storage or in transport
Strong jaws to open grain and then lay eggs
Rarely a problem in homes or stores
Unless materials arrive infested

6. Whole Grains Cowpea weevil Not true weevils Only infest legumes
(Callosobruchus maculatus)
Not true weevils
No snout
Only infest legumes
Peas, cowpeas, beans
Lay eggs on outside of seeds and the larvae penetrate

7. Whole Grains Angoumois grain moth Mostly a problem in grain storage
(Sitotroga cerealella)
Mostly a problem in grain storage
Less common in homes
Commonly found in whole kernel corn
Will fly inside buildings
Dr. RM Houseman

8. Processed Grains Sawtoothed grain beetle
(Oryzaephilus surinamensis)
Six teeth along edges of pronotum
Eggs deposited into foodstuffs
Larvae look like lumps and stay in foodstuff
Adults will wander around

9. Processed Grains Warehouse beetle Infest grain-based products
(Trogoderma spp.)
Infest grain-based products
Cereal
Spices
Rodent baits
Dog food
Found in warehouses, storage rooms, homes

10. Processed Grains Cigarette beetle
(Lasioderma serricorne)
Covered with tiny hairs that give it a sheen
Very small larvae
Difficult to locate
Covered with product
Infest many things
Spices, pet food, prescription drugs, tobacco, cosmetics,

11. Processed Grains Drugstore beetle Similar to cigarette beetle
(Stegobium paniceum)
Similar to cigarette beetle
Dull, dark appearance
Infest many things
Spices, pet food, prescription drugs, tobacco, cosmetics,

12. Processed Grains Confused flour beetle Red flour beetle
(Tribolium confusum)
Red flour beetle
(Tribolium castaneum)
Dry milled, cereal products
Flour mills, retail stores, homes
Nearly impossible to avoid this pest in mills
Flour, cornmeal, cake mixes may harbor them

13. Processed Grains Indianmeal moth Most common pantry pest in Missouri
(Plodia interpunctella)
Most common pantry pest in Missouri
Storage areas, stores, homes
Life cycle of 2 months
Larvae spin silk
Can cover the product
Will leave product and wander for distances
May even hang from ceilings

14. Stored Product Pest Control
Four basic steps
Locate infested product
Discard infested products
Cheaper to replace it than to freeze/heat/treat
Clean infested area thoroughly
Prevent new infestations
Thick plastic, metal, air-tight containers