Preventing Lesser Grain Borers in Stored Grains

Insects play a huge role in causing significant post-harvest losses of grains every year. This leads to food insecurity and contributes to lower incomes for farmers and traders alike.

One such insect is the lesser grain borer, which is considered as a pest due to its destructive effect on stored grains such as wheat, maize, millet, and rice.

The insect bores into the kernel and feeds on and in the grains. Eggs are laid on the kernel, where the larvae hatch and immediately feast upon the stored goods.

The cream-colored larvae are mobile and can do much damage during their early life. At later stages, they become immobile once they prepare for their pupal stage. The whole process of hatching from an egg to developing into an adult takes around 25 days at ideal conditions of around 34°C.

Adult lesser grain borer: Image source 

The adult lesser grain borer is approximately 2.50 millimeter in length and is dark brown to black in color. It is mobile and is described to be a strong flyer in warm conditions. This allows for infestations to spread and damage even more of the stored commodities.

The larva and adult lesser grain borer produce large amounts of waste, which can accumulate and affect the safety and quality of the grains.

Controlling insect infestations can become costly and potentially dangerous if pesticides are handled incorrectly.

This is why the use of hermetic storage is highly recommended for an organic, safe, and cost-effective method of preventing lesser grain borers and other insects, such as rice weevils, in stored grains. Because hermetic storage is air-tight, the insects’ and grains’ natural respiration depletes the oxygen levels and eventually produce enough carbon dioxide to act as a natural asphyxiant inside the storage unit.

Learn more: How to prevent rice weevils in commodities

This natural process ensures that eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult insects are eliminated and cannot damage the stored grains.

GrainPro’s hermetic technology is perfect for safeguarding grains against insect infestations. Hermetic technology can eliminate any danger from the insects in all their life stages.

Learn more: Protecting beehives from greater wax moths with hermetic technology