Maize Weevil

Sitophilus zeamais

Appearance

•   Adult up to 4mm.
•   They are dull red-brown to nearly black and are usually marked on the back with fourlight red dish or yellowish spots

Lifecycle

•  The female chews a small hole into a grain kernel, into which one egg is laid. A female can lay 300 to 400 eggs over a period of months.
•  An egg hatches in a few days into a larva, which feeds on the interior of the grain kernel. Pupation follows, with the adult beetle emerging later.
•  The entire life cycle takes from four to seven weeks.

Habits

•  The maize weevil has fully developed wings beneath its wing covers and can fly readily.
•  This pest destroys stored crops such as corn, wheat, and rice.