Grain weevil and weevil damaged wheat. Barley can also be infested. This type of damage can be avoided with good management of grain storage facilities. Conditions that promote good grain storage discourage grain insect pests.
Many infestations start during the winter due to large temperature fluctuations of the grain.
During the fall and winter, the exterior grain in a bin cools but the interior grain remains warmer. This difference in temperature develops slow moving air currents that carry moisture to the top of the grain pile near the center of the storage bin. As the air cools when it reaches the grain surface the air carries less water vapor and the moisture can condense on the grain surface. The potential for damage is greatest in bins that have not been leveled and have a peak near the middle of the grain pile. Producers should check stored grain on a regular basis during the storage season.