*granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius)
*cadelle beetle (Tenebroides mauretanicus)
*rust-red grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus)
*sawtoothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis)
*European grain moth (Nemapogon granellus)
*Angoumois cereal moth (Sitotroga cerealella)
These insects infest stored oats and when either the grain are long kept and become old and stale, it is almost impossible to preserve them from being destroyed by one or other of these weevils.
The weevils are very destructive pest of storage oats world over. Both adults and larvae feed the grain, the adults are able to eat entire grain while the larvae prefer pieces of grains.
The chewing damage caused by the cereal pests brings about increased respiration in the cereal (hot spots) and this, associated with the metabolic activity of the pests themselves, promotes evolution of heat and moisture, which in turn provide favorable living conditions for molds and subsequently, at very high moisture levels, for bacterial growth.
Moths commonly attack grain before harvest, laying their eggs on or near grain. This pest can also infest grain after it is stores, especially in open store.
Pests of food commence causing problems at the sites of production on farms, and there is continual exposure through silos, mills, food processing plants, storage facilities, bakeries, shops, restaurants and homes.
Insect infestation may result in self-heating which ultimately gives rise to depreciation and final total loss. Inadequately cleaned warehouses, holds and containers are generally the root cause of insect infestation.
Oats pest infestation
