Rice Weevil
Sitophilus oryzae
A tiny snouted beetle that breeds inside whole grains such as rice, wheat and pasta. Larvae develop hidden inside individual kernels.
- Size
- 2–3 mm
- Marking
- Long snout, four pale spots
- Breeds in
- Whole grains
- Prevent
- Airtight storage, freeze new grain
Questions about the Rice Weevil
How to identify a Rice Weevil
Identification
- About 2–3 mm, dark brown.
- Long, narrow snout at the front of the head.
- Four faint reddish or yellow spots on the wing covers.
Where it lives
- Rice, wheat, barley, oats, pasta, birdseed and other whole grains.
Behaviour
- Females chew a hole in a grain, lay an egg and seal it; the larva feeds inside.
- Adults can fly and crawl to other containers.
Why it matters
Infested grain can look normal until adults emerge. See weevils in rice or flour.
Commonly confused with
Other pantry pest species
Pantry pest guides
How to Pest-Proof Your Home
A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.
GuidePest Prevention Checklist
A printable seasonal checklist of simple, low-cost tasks that reduce pests around Australian homes, with the reason behind each step and extra lists for renters, apartment residents, pet owners and Queenslander owners.
Pantry Pests by location
More about pantry pests
Pantry Pests
Small moths, weevils and beetles that infest flour, rice, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, spices and pet food. They usually arrive already inside a product and spread to other packets in the pantry.
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Sources & further reading
- CSIRO — insect and pest research — CSIRO
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