Khapra beetle

Classification

Primary pest; grain feeder; quarantine pest
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Dermestidae
Acronym: TGR

Similar species

• Other Trogoderma species

Commodities affected

• Grains and oilseeds, maltings, dried vegetable seeds

Signs of infestation

• Initial discoveries are often based on the presence of accumulations of cast larval skins

Damage

• Larvae initially feed on damaged grain pieces.
• As larvae mature, they are able to attack whole grains.
• Larvae may completely destroy commodity.

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is not established in Canada and is a quarantine pest
• Thrives in hot, dry climates

Life history

• Females lay eggs amongst the commodity.
• Larvae may enter diapause (dormant state) and remain inactive for up to 8 years if conditions are unfavourable.
• diapause may be initiated by cooler temperature, poor food quality or low population densities.
• Larvae moult multiple times and duration of life cycle depends on conditions.
• If conditions are favorable, life cycle is shorter in duration with fewer molts.
• Adults cannot fly.
• Adults do not feed.
• Beetle only has competitive advantage in hot dry grain where other more prevalent species do not have the advantage they have when humidity is normal.
• Diapause may be initiated by cooler temperature, poor food quality or high population densities.