Pest Guides

Maize Weevil Beetle

Sitophilus zeamais

Appearance

Maize Weevil Beetle | Rentokil Pest Control Australia
  • Adult up to 3/16".
  • They are dull red-brown to nearly black and are usually marked on the back with four light reddish 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.