complete life cycle can take as little as 25 to 28 days at 30째C and 80% relative humidity. The adult is a good flier and attacks any cereal with grain large enough to support larval development.
TROGODEMA GRANARIUM (Khapra beetle - larva and adult)
This species is listed among primary pests as it is often the only insect found attacking otherwise intact grain. However, if the grain has previously been damaged, T. granarium attacks it much more successfully. It also attacks milled cereal product and therefore occupies a position intermediate between primary and secondary pests T. granarium is very tolerant of high temperature (up to 40째C) and low humidity (down to 2% relative humidity). It is therefore a pest in hot, dry regions where other storage pests cannot survive. In addition the larvae are able to enter diapause (a resting stage) when physical conditions are unfavorable. In this state they can survive several years 7-8 of adverse conditions. When in diapauses the larvae usually hides in cracks therefore are protected against contact insecticide. Also their low metabolic activity reduces the rate of pesticide uptake and translocation making it to them. The presence of T. granarium on grain exported to some countries will result 96 | Staple Crops Storage Manual