ABSTRACT

The order Coleoptera (beetles) comprises some 250,000 known species, many of which are able to exploit human-made and human-modified habitats and, in doing so, are now important pests. However, almost all the species of major importance as storage pests belong to one of seven families: Bostrichidae, Bruchidae, Cucujidae, Curculionidae, Dermestidae, Silvanidae, and Tenebrionidae. Members of the Bostrichidae, Bruchidae, and Curculionidae can attack undamaged pulse and cereal grains as primary pests. Rhyzopertha dominica is a very important primary pest of whole cereal grains, especially of small grains such as wheat, sorghum, millet, and rice. The major pest genera are found throughout the regions of the world where their host crops are grown and stored. Cryptolestes species are some of the most common secondary pests of cereals, cereal products, and a variety of other materials in both temperate and tropical regions. Pest species are known from a wide range of commodities, including dried fish, skins, woollen articles, museum specimens, and cereal grains.