Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
Silvanus surinamensis
Family: - Silvanidae
Order: - Coleoptera
Description:
Adult -
Colour - Brown to dark brown.
Body - 3 mm long by 1 mm wide. Narrow and flattened.
Wings - Hind wings covered with fine hairs.
Mouthparts -
Antennae -
Legs -
Head -
Thorax - Pro thorax has 6 small teeth on either side. Pronotum with 2 shallow, lengthwise grooves.
Abdomen - 1 mm wide. Elytra striate and punctulate.
Egg -
Habits -
Larva - 5 mm long at maturity.
Colour - Yellowish white with a brown head and brown flecks on the underside of the thorax and abdomen.
Body -
Mouthparts -
Antennae -
Legs - A pair of slender cerci on the last abdominal segment aid movement.
Head - Brown
Thorax -
Abdomen - A pair of slender cerci on the last abdominal segment aid movement.
Habits -
Pupa - About 4 mm long. Yellowish with tooth like projections around the body margin.
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Each female lays 40-280 eggs that develop into adults in 3-4 weeks under favourable conditions.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
It can attack sound grain but is usually secondary pest of damaged or broken grain and grain products.
Management and Control:
Inspect storage areas regularly for primary pests and the build up of this beetle.
Fumigation is often used for control.
Methoprene has been particularly effective at controlling young insects but some populations are resistant.
Related Species:
Similar Species:
Granary Weevil (Sitophilus granarius)
Lesser Grain Borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)
Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
Rust-red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
References:
CSIRO. The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. (1991)
WADA. Insects and Allied Pests of Extensive Farming. Department of Agriculture - Western Australia Bulletin No. 4185.
Avidov, Z. and Harpaz, I. (1969) Plant Pest of Israel. Israel University Press. P254-255.
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.