Weevils

Weevils are instantly recognisable by their elongated snouts and the grain weevil is widely accepted as the most common pest of stored grain. The female weevil bores a small hole into a grain kernel and deposits a single egg into the hole. She seals this hole with a gelatinous material and then repeats the process on kernel after kernel until she deposits 300-400 eggs. Open, round exit holes in the grain are a sign of weevil infestation. When disturbed, a weevil "plays dead" by drawing their legs close to the body. They then lie still for several minutes before resuming movement. Control is best achieved by fumigation or the use of silica dust.

Weevils: Description & Life Cycle

There are three principle species of weevil that cause damageto stored food products in Britain. (Grain Weevil, Rice Weevil and Maize weevil)

All these weevils share certain characteristics:

they have hard, leathery wings meeting along the mid-line of the back whilst at rest
biting mouthparts in the form of a distinctive long snout
well developed thorax
most can fly

Life cycle:

all beetles lay eggs
the eggs hatch into larvae that will damage stores foods
the larvae pupate and then emerge as adults to continue the cycle