Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Worldwide distribution. Rice, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, related grasses. Important pest, often with other storage insects.
• Damage starts at milky stage in field, continuing to final storage.
• Eggs laid into grains; larvae bore into grain, feed and, later, make "windows" for adult (moth) emergence. Adults are 6 mm long, grey, pale or yellowish-brown, with fringed wings.
• Spread as adults on the wing (strong flyers), or as larvae inside grain. 
• Natural enemies: several predators and egg parasitoids (Trichogramma), but effectiveness uncertain.
• Cultural control: dry grain properly (12%); keep storage rooms and areas clean; spray bins, use new sacks; monitor lose grain in bins (top layers), and grain still on cobs (throughout); resistant varieties.
• Chemical control: consult full fact sheet; always check whether the product is for treating equipment, bins and buildings or for treating grain for human use and animal feed. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.