Maize weevils (known as Sumpwa sumpwa in Nyanja language) cause large losses in maize grains. The adult weevils emerge through tiny, round holes in the kernels. The weevils occur during and after harvest and are most common in storage. Both adults and larvae are coldhardy. Food limitation induces severe competition for obligate seed-feeding insect larvae that are unable to leave the seed selected by their mother. Rice weevils and maize weevils are about 1/8 inch long and brown. They are common stored grain pests, which sometimes infest whole kernel grain foods in our pantries. The bean stem weevil ( Alcidodes leucogrammus ), bores into the base of the stem of French bean (Phaseolus) or cowpea (Vigna) plants and lays a small number of eggs. https://www.pestnet.org/fact_sheets/maize_greater_grain_weevil_339.htm The maize weevil can be conventionally con- Their larvae hatch from eggs laid on to grains by weevils. Maize Weevil. Both are internal feeders, which means the larva develops inside whole grain kernels. The need to study and control insect pests has contributed to the development of artificial diets. The larvae cause damage by boring into the grain, making holes and grinding it to a fine powder. Grain weevils include three species of small weevils: The rice weevil, granary weevil and the maize weevil. They have densely spaced pits on the pronotum that are round (maize weevil) or elongated (rice weevil). The two species look almost identical without magnification. Eighty to 200 eggs are deposited on the outside of the kernel, grooves or holes made by other insects and the larvae … Shuddering, I listened to the guests conversing in the living room as I poured the water off as quietly as I could. (Photo Credit: John Obermeyer) BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR. Damage to grain caused by this weevil includes reductions in nu-tritional value, germination, weight, and commercial value5. Apparently I had rice weevils, which are in the same genus as wheat weevils but a slightly different species. The larvae or grubs develop inside of whole corn, wheat and rice kernels. Weevil adults attack whole grains, and larvae cryptically feed and develop within grains3. Maize weevil. Maize weevils, for a long time were referred to as a larger strain or race of the rice weevil, but are now recognized as a distinct species. Most of the bugs and larvae flowed off into the sink. This organic concentrate is fast acting and safe enough to use on corn, tomatoes and more with just one day to harvest. If this material is a crop plant or seeds used for human food, the weevils may cause serious damage. Adult weevils and larvae feed on undamaged grains and reduce them to powdery form ( Adedire 2001). The eggs hatch into larvae, which eat the plant material surrounding them. The maize weevil is slightly larger, up to one-eighth inch (four mm) long, and darker than the rice weevil; the degree of variation within each species makes them difficult to tell apart. Mating often occurs within 24 hours of adult emergence from grain kernels. Rice and Maize weevils are widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical areas and will be carried to temperate areas on imported commodities. The Maize weevil will breed on maize in the field, but the Rice weevil only breeds in stored grain. Infestation by this weevil begins in the field 4 but most damage occurs during storage. maize weevil control in the garden If you’ve found maize weevils on your corn or other vegetables, apply MULTIPURPOSE INSECT KILLER directly to the affected crops. Then a grown weevil rose to join its white larvae offspring. 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