Beetles Identification Guide

Sitophilus zeamais is not established in Canada but has been intercepted at ports
of entry or has been present for several years in areas like Montreal, where U.S.
grain is stored.
Sexual dimorphism: As in S. granarius, males have the abdominal sterna V and VI
distinctly deflected (Fig. 247) and the rostrum less elongate (length-to-width
index, around 5.5). Females have the abdominal sterna V and VI horizontal or
only slightly deflected (Fig. 247) and the rostrum more elongate (length-to-width
index, more than 7.0).
Distribution: Occurs throughout the warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical
regions. The species has been reported sporadically in most Canadian provinces.
Economic importance: This species is one of the most serious pests of stored
grain in the world. It is established in Canada only in southern Ontario but is
found more or less frequently across the country on imported grain. The adults
and larvae feed on a wide variety of grains and show a preference for wheat; the
adults also eat flour. Unlike S. granarius, adults can fly and find their way to
nearby ripening cereal crops, where they cause preharvest problems.
Selected references
Golebiowska, Z. 1969. The feeding and fecundity of Sitophilus granarius (L.),
Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in wheat grain. J. Stored
Prod. Res. 5:143—155.
Howe, R.W. 1952. The biology of the rice weevil, Calandra oryzae (L.).
Ann. Appl. Biol. 39:168—180.
Khan, N.R.; Musgrave A.J. 1968. Some anatomical differences of possible
taxonomic value in the female reproductive organs of Sitophilus
(Curculionidae: Coleoptera). Can. Entomol. 100:1226—1228.
Longstaff, B.C. 1981. Biology of the grain pest species of the genus Sitophilus
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A critical review. Prot. Ecol. 2:83—130.
Maceljski, M.; Korunic Z. 1973. Contribution to the morphology andecology
of Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. in Yugoslavia. J. Stored Prod. Res.
9:225—234.
Qureshi, A.H. 1963. Some sexual differences in the granary weevil Sitophilus
granarius (L.). Can. Entomol. 95:lll7—lll9.
100
DERMESTIDAE dermestid beetles
This family includes approximately 40 species in Canada. Their members
are found more commonly on flowers and dried animal carcasses, and
in nests of mammals, birds, and social Hymenoptera as well as dwellings.