Cryptolestes pusilloides PaDil (www.padil.gov.au) these live under the bark of trees and are of very little importance. However, Cryptolestes spp. are important pests of cereals, cereal products and dried processed foods of vegetable origin. When infesting cereal-based products, Cryptolestes spp. breed most rapidly on milled produce or on grain previously damaged by insects or mechanically damaged during harvesting, storage and handling processes (Rees 2004). Larvae feed preferentially on the germ of the whole kernels, but they also feed on the endosperm and sometimes hollow out the entire kernel. Growth of mould in the endosperm renders it more suitable as larval food. Cryptolestes species are apparently unable to feed on sound grain, but they can feed on kernels with very slight imperfections or injuries (DAFWA date unknown). Major Hosts: Cryptolestes species have been found feeding on grain and cereal products and on a variety of other materials. They have been recorded in wheat, corn, rice, barley, flour, oilseeds, cassava root, dried fruits and chillies (DAFWA date unknown). Ephestia cautella (Walk.) Image source unknown Tropical warehouse moth Members of genus Ephestia are important pests of a wide range of stored products, especially milled, processed and manufactured produce. However, E. cautella is capable of infesting both bulk and bagged stored grain. Bulk grain infestation is normally restricted to surface layers (Rees 2004). Carda cautella (synonym of Ephestia cautella) is one of the serious pests of a wide range of commodities, especially cereals such as maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, oats, cereal flours, cereal products but also dried cassava, groundnuts, cocoa beans, dried mango, dates, nutmeg, mace, cowpeas, etc. (CABI 2011).
Major Hosts: C. carda is a major pest of a range of stored product including cereals such as maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, oats, cereal flours and other cereal products, dried cassava, groundnuts, cocoa beans, dried mango, dates, nutmeg, mace, cowpeas and other dried stored products (CABI 2011). Ephestia elutella (Hubn.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Cacao moth/warehouse moth Members of genus Ephestia are important pests of a wide range of stored products, especially milled, processed and manufactured produce Rees 2004). Major Hosts: E. elutella can infest a wide range of commodities, especially cereals, cereal products, dried fruit, cocoa beans and nuts. It is a pest in chocolate factories and tobacco warehouses (CABI 2008). Ephestia kuehniella (Zell.) PaDil (www.padil.gov.au) Mediterranean flour moth Members of genus Ephestia are considered important pests of a wide range of stored products, especially milled, processed and manufactured produce (Rees 2004). Major Hosts: E. kuehniella is considered a pest of many cereals, including wheat (grain, bran, flour, meal, semolina), maize, rice, sorghum, oats and barley. It also attacks nuts such as almonds, date palms, carob pods, fruits and flowers, pollen, leaves, roots (dried), biscuits, human food and animal feed (CABI 2012). Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauv.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Merchant grain beetle Oryzaephilus species attack a wide range of stored products and are ranked the most important stored products pests. It is more often found on commodities such as dried fruit and oilseeds rather than cereals. However, the status of O. mercator is considered to be significant but not as major as O. surinamensis (Rees 2004). Major Hosts: Oryzaephilus mercator is primarily a pest of oilseeds or products with a high oil content, but may also infest processed cereals, dried fruit, nuts and a range of stored
CSIRO Division of Entomology eggs on the outside of grain in cracks and crevices. Newly hatched larvae burrow into the grain. Major Hosts: S. cerealella is a pest of stored products including grains and oats, barley, rice, sorghum, wheat and maize are considered the main hosts of this pest (CABI 2011). Sitophilus granarius (L.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Granary weevil The Sitophilus female chews a small hole on the surface of grain and lays an egg into it. The hole is then plugged with waxy secretion. Larvae develop within the grain. Pupae also develop inside the grain and adults feed on grain as well. Sitophilus species are major pests of whole cereal grains (Rees 2004). Major Hosts: S. granarius is a frequent pest of wheat and barley. It can attack other cereals such as maize, sorghum and rice, but it does not compete well with the other two Sitophilus species on these grains (CABI 2011). Three species of Sitophilus including S. granarius, S. oryzae and S. zeamais are seed parasites of cereal crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and sorghum and are important economic pest species in stored grain. The species share the same life history but do have a number of differences in their seed exploitation strategies (Longstaff 1981). Sitophilus oryzae (L.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Rice weevil The Sitophilus female chews a small hole on the surface of grain and lays an egg into it. The hole is then plugged with waxy secretion. Larvae develop within the grain. Pupae also develop inside the grain and adults feed on grain as well. Sitophilus species are major pests of whole cereal grains (Rees 2004). Major Hosts: Rice, wheat, maize and sorghum are considered as the main hosts S. oryzae (CABI 2011). Three species of Sitophilus, S. granarius, S. oryzae and S. zeamais are seed parasites of cereal crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and sorghum and are
Lasioderma serricorne (F.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Tobacco beetle/cigarette beetle It is a major pest of dried processed food and a minor pest of grain. Lasioderma serricorne is frequently found infesting a wide range of stored product. Newly hatched larvae are unable to attack undamaged grain. They search for cracks and crevices in commodities for an entry point. However, in grain storage, it is unimportant as it is primarily associated with residues (Rees 2004). Lasioderma serricorne has a very wide host range and feeds on many kinds of dried plant and animal material, including spices, flour, cereals, dog and cat food, tobacco, leather, wool, meal, seeds, and dried fruits. In addition, they will check through non-food material such as paper and fabric to get to a food source. They are said to feed "upon almost anything except cast iron" (Day 2010). Psocoptera QDPI (dpi.qld.gov.au) Psocids or book lice Minor Pest of grain except Liposceli which is a Major Pest of stored grain. Species that are associated with stored products mostly belong to four families: Lachesiilidae, Liposcelididae, Psylliposcidae and Trogiidae. Liposcelididae is considered the most important family of all the four mentioned above (Rees 2004). Liposceli species eat almost any stored product of animal or plant origin. They are traditionally thought to be only minor pests of stored grain and grain products. However, some recent research suggested that L. bostrychophila, L. decolor, L. entomorphila and L. paeta, are considered the most important species infesting stored products. Huge populations have been found infesting stored grain in warm temperate and tropical areas (Rees 2004). Aglossa caprealis (Hubn.) Murky meal caterpillar The larvae feed in a silken tube or gallery amongst hay or wheat stacks and on associated vegetable matter (UKMoth).
timber. Overall, it attacks a very wide range of wood and wood products (Pinniger and Child 1996). Anthrenocerus australis (Hope) CSIRO Division of Entomology Australian carpet beetle Anthrenocerus australis is primarily a museum pest and it has been found attacking dried artefacts of organic origin and woollen goods. In has occasionally been found in grain storage mainly infesting residue. It is mainly associated with material of animal origin and infestation typically occurs in nests of birds, bees, ants and wasps, and dead birds and rodents. (Rees 2004). Anthrenus flavipes Le Conte CSIRO Division of Entomology Carpet beetle Anthrenus spp are primarily scavengers of material of animal origin. The infestation is mainly found in bird nests and dead birds and rodents (Rees 2004). It is a common pest of upholstered furniture and feed on hair, padding and upholstery (Gahlhoff Jr. 1997). Anthrenus museorum L. CSIRO Division of Entomology Museum beetle No records of its association with grain. Present in Australia (CSIRO 2004). Anthrenus verbasci (L.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Lesser mealworm The larvae feed on material of dry organic origin including wool, fur, silk, felt, dried meat and carcasses. It also feeds on carpets, rugs, tapestries, clothes (PaDil). Anthrenus spp are primarily scavengers of material of animal origin. However, the larvae of Anthrenus verbasci occasionally feed on a range of stored foodstuffs such as savoury biscuits, dried baby food, cakes, peanuts, wheat and maize. In commercial grain storages Anthrenus are of minor importance being associated with bird’s nests or animal remains. It is a pest of minor importance for stored grain (Rees 2004). Hosts Unknown: Cicer arietinum (chickpea) (CABI 2008). Attagenus pellio (L.) Fur beetle The genus Attagenus are mainly scavengers on dried material of animal origin. These are primarily pests of
Dermestes lardarius L. CSIRO Division of Entomology Larder beetle Members of the genus Dermestes primarily feed on any material of animal origin or on commodities of plant origin with high protein contents (2004). Dermestes maculatus Deg. CSIRO Division of Entomology Common hide beetle Members of the genus Dermestes primarily feed on any material of animal origin or on commodities of plant origin with high protein contents (2004). Ephestia figulilella Greg. Raisin moth Members of the genus Ephestia are important pest of a wide range of stored products, especially milled, processed and manufactured produce. E. figulilella is a relatively minor pest and typically attacks dry and drying fruit (Rees 2004). Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Staint.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Brown house moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella is associated with stored products mainly as scavengers. Presence of large numbers of this species suggests the presence of aged residue or poor hygiene (Rees 2004) Lyctus brunneus (Steph.) Agriculture Western Australia Powder post beetle It is a pest of timber (Agriculture Western Australia; Personal Communication with David Rees). Necrobia ruficollis (F.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Red-shouldered ham beetle It is found on stored products and animal parts and commonly found on the skin and bones of dead animals and on dead fish (PaDil 2012). Necrobia ruficollis appears to be largely associated with materials of animal origin (Rees 2004). Necrobia rufipes (Deg.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Copra beetle/red-legged ham beetle Necrobia rufipes is an important pest of copra and sometimes of oilseeds and cocoa. It is largely restricted to materials of animal origin (Rees 2004). It is found on stored products and animal parts and commonly found on the skin and bones of dead animals and on dead fish (PaDil 2012). Periplaneta americana (L.) CSIRO Division of Entomology American cockroach Recorded in NSW, NT, QLD, WA (CSIRO 2004). Periplaneta australasiae (F.) CSIRO Division of Entomology Australian cockroach Recorded in NSW and QLD (CSIRO 2004).