The lesser grain borer: Not boring at all!

Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coloeptera; Bostrichidae), also known as the lesser grain borer, is a primary pest of stored products that is capable of feeding on whole, undamaged kernels. They are found worldwide and feed upon a variety of grains, including wheat, sorghum, corn, and rice. Although mainly found in grain storage and processing facilities, they can also be found in different ecoregions, such as prairies, mountains, plains, valleys, and lowlands. Their movement from between grain storage facilities is often facilitated by the movement of grain, but trapping these beetles in these other landscapes suggests that immigration of insects from the landscape into storage structures could also serve as sources for infestations. In addition, R. dominica can feed and develop on alternate food sources found in these landscapes, including wild acorns. Around the world, damage and contamination caused by stored product insect pests after crop harvest account for a total of 9-20% yield loss and an improved understanding of how these insects migrate through natural landscapes can lead to the development of preventative strategies aimed at reducing immigration into these facilities.