What does maize weevil do?
Maize weevil increases the efficacy of fungus infestation in their presence under storage. Maize weevils cause mechanical damage and increased moisture content. Insect infestation usually causes increased heating and moisture content in stored grains due to metabolic activity of the insects [28].
How do you get rid of weevils in maize?
Control
- The only way to control these pests is fumigation.
- Since it is an internal pest, residual control will only kill.
- Exposed adults. To kill the internal stages (larval and pupal), you must fumigate. Heating grain to 60C can kill larvae; however, this may decrease germination and baking quality of flour.
Where do maize weevils come from?
Rice and maize weevils are usually found in grain storage facilities or processing plants, infesting wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, and corn. Although not often found in the home, they are sometimes found infesting beans, birdseed, sunflower seeds, dried corn, and too a lesser degree macaroni and spaghetti.
What will kill weevils in corn?
An effective approach to control weevils in corn includes a tank mix of Centynal™ EC Insecticide and PBO-8® Synergist or Diacon® IGR PLUS and PBO-8® Synergist where long-term storage is needed.
Can maize weevils fly?
Adults cannot fly. Maize Weevil: This weevil also has small distinct colored spots on the forewings, and punctures on the thorax, including the midline. Adults can fly. Eighty to 200 eggs are deposited on the outside of the kernel, grooves or holes made by other insects and the larvae bore into the kernel.
Do weevils bite?
Stored product weevils do not bite and they do not cause damage to dry, decay-free wood inside homes.
Do weevils carry disease?
Whether indoors or out, weevils only eat plants, nuts, seeds, grain, fruits, roots, etc. They aren’t known to carry or transmit any diseases or parasites. They are simply a nuisance that can cause monetary loss in the form of food and plant life.
Do maize weevils fly?
It varies from dull red-brown to nearly black and is usually marked on the back with four light reddish or yellowish spots. The maize weevil has fully developed wings beneath its wing covers and can fly readily.
What do weevils hate?
Herbs that may work as weevil deterrents include bay leaf, clove, rosemary, black pepper corns, and garlic cloves. A few bay leaves can be placed inside each grain, flour, and cereal container. Use the other herbs on the pantry shelves, otherwise they may flavor your grains.
How do you prevent weevils?
Prevent Grain Weevils
- Inspect all grains upon purchase.
- Freeze grains for at least 1 week (or store permanently in the freezer) to kill any eggs.
- Buy grains in small quantities and eat within a reasonable period of time.
- Store grains in tightly sealed glass, metal, or sturdy plastic containers (not bags).
How do you treat weevil bites?
To treat symptoms of a local reaction, wash the blister with warm, soapy water each day, and then apply a topical steroid or antibiotic. This can prevent a secondary infection and ease redness, swelling, and pain. Applying a cold compress to the lesion several times a day can also ease swelling and pain.
Where are maize weevils found in the world?
It can be found in numerous tropical areas around the world, and in the United States, and is a major pest of maize. This species attacks both standing crops and stored cereal products, including wheat, rice, sorghum, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, peas, and cottonseed.
How long does it take a maize weevil to hatch?
Maize weevils start their life as a small caterpillar like larva which hatches on some type of food like a wheat grain, seed or nut. Eggs will hatch within a couple of days of being laid and feed immediately. Feeding will occur for 1-3 weeks and then larva will spin a cocoon in which they will pupate to an adult.
How can you tell if maize seed is infested with Weevil?
The plug quickly hardens, and leaves a small raised area on the seed surface. This provides the only visible evidence that the kernel is infested. Only one egg is laid inside each grain. When the egg hatches into a white, legless grub, it will remain inside and begin feeding on the grain.
Why do you need to spray maize weevils?
Maize Weevils lay eggs with a glue like excretion which helps to attach them to surfaces where food is likely to be available. This helps to keep them in place so that just “wiping” a damp rag over the area is never enough; vacuuming will no doubt help but not get them all which is why you need to spray.