Rice Weevil

The rice weevil is considered by many to be the most important stored product pest. It is found worldwide but primarily in warm climates. In the United States, it usually is confined to stored grain north of North Carolina, but is widely distributed in field and stored grain in the South.

Recognition

Adults are about 1/8 inch long. Its color is a dull reddish brown, elytra usually with four faint reddish to yellowish paler marks. Punctures or pits on thorax round or irregularly shaped, deep, midline of pornotum usually puncture-free. Wings are fully developed; this weevil can fly. Male's snout/beak shorter, wider, with more distinct punctures than that of female's.

Larva legless. Color creamy white with brownish-black head. Thickened in middle, and relatively smooth. Labial palp usually with seven or eight sensory papillae.

Habits

The rice weevil usually is confined to stored grain north of North Carolina. In the south, adults fly from stored grain to infest the new grain crop in the field and the infestation continues through storage.

It has been recorded attacking corn, wheat, rice, beans, nuts, cereals, rye, buckwheat, stored cotton, wheat products of all kinds, and grapes. In addition, it will feed on apples and pears. Optimum conditions for rice weevil activity are 80-86 degrees F, 75-90 percent relative humidity, and grain of 13.5-17.6 percent moisture content.

When disturbed, it will draw its legs up to its body and play "possum."