Eukaryota

Grain Weevils

What do I look Like

Adult wheat weevils are about 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long with elongated snouts and chewing mouth parts.

A Little Bit About Me

Distinguishing true weevils from other grain insects can be accomplished by noting their characteristic long snouts, which house their mouthparts.

These beetles typically infest products like flour, oatmeal, and bran, but can occasionally be found in dried fruits, spices, and chocolate. Females of these species lay up to 400 eggs dispersed loosely among food materials. The larvae hatch and feed on food fragments alongside the adults. The entire life cycle spans four to eight weeks, with adults potentially living up to 12 months.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
castaneum and T. confusum,

Flour Beetles

What do I look Like

Flour beetles are approximately 3–4mm in length with a reddish-brown coloration

A Little Bit About Me

Flour beetles are considered secondary pests as they are incapable of attacking sound kernels.

These beetles typically infest products like flour, oatmeal, and bran, but can occasionally be found in dried fruits, spices, and chocolate. Females of these species lay up to 400 eggs dispersed loosely among food materials. The larvae hatch and feed on food fragments alongside the adults. The entire life cycle spans four to eight weeks, with adults potentially living up to 12 months.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Eukaryota

Flour Mite

What do I look Like

Flour mites are almost a microscopic, small animal Measuring about 0.5mm. They exhibit pearly white bodies and legs that range in color from yellowish to pinkish

A Little Bit About Me

Feeding primarily on flour and other grain products, flour mites thrive in environments with a relative humidity of 70% or higher. It's worth noting that their presence can cause dermatitis in sensitive.

The life cycle of flour mites spans 2 to 4 weeks.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Lasioderma Serricor

Cigarette Beetle

What do I look Like

in shape and measuring 2–3mm in length, these beetles exhibit a reddish-yellow coloration. In a side view, they appear humped, featuring a hood-like thorax with the head positioned beneath it. The adult beetles have a relatively short life span.

A Little Bit About Me

The cigarette beetle derives its name from its primary association with stored tobacco. However, it is adaptable and can also infest milled cereal, stored grain, and even spices, including hot varieties such as curry powder and cayenne pepper. These beetles chew their way out through various types of packaging, including plastic, paper, and cardboard. This often results in small circular holes in the packaging material.

While tobacco is their primary target, they thrive in a variety of stored products, living for two to four weeks. females have the capacity to lay up to 100 eggs, and the entire life cycle of the cigarette beetle spans one to four months.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Oryzaephilus Surinamensis

Saw-toothed Grain Beetles

What do I look Like

The slender, dark brown beetle is approximately 2.4–3 mm in size and features characteristic ``teeth`` running down the side of the prothorax. The larvae are yellow-white with brown heads, reaching up to 3 mm in size.

A Little Bit About Me

These larvae move freely around the food mass, feeding on broken pieces of grain or damaged grain kernels. Larger larvae may even bore into kernels

The saw-toothed grain beetles can live up to three years. A female can lay up to 300 eggs. The development from egg to adult is around three to four weeks.

Preventive measures are crucial for managing and controlling infestations of saw-toothed grain beetles in storage facilities and homes.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Trogoderma Variabile

Warehouse Beetle

What do I look Like

Adults are oval, measuring 2–3mm in length, and have a brown coloration pale markings on their wings. Larvae are cream coloured or a shade of brown, and average 6 mm (0.24 in) in length when fully grown;

They have long bristles at the tip of the abdomen.

A Little Bit About Me

It is an economic pest in a range of dry goods including animal foods, wheat and barley kernels, wholemeal flour, and other cereal-based foodstuffs. It also infests animal detritus, fish meal, spices, nuts, cocoa and sugar products.

Given their potential to cause damage and health concerns, early detection and appropriate pest management strategies are essential for controlling warehouse beetle infestations regular monitoring and preventive measures are vey important.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Plodia Interpunctella

Indian Meal Moth

What do I look Like

With a wingspan of 14 to 20mm, adult moths have pale fawn wings with reddish-brown forewing portions. Larvae, up to 17mm long, vary in colour based on diet.

A Little Bit About Me

They infest foods such as raisins, dates, they are known to feed on a range of items, including biscuits, powdered milk, and chocolate. Their presence often results in the contamination of foodstuffs with webbing.

The life cycle of the Indian meal moth typically spans one to three months. The moth lays its eggs on or near food items, initiating the development of larvae that, in turn, contribute to the potential contamination and spoilage of stored goods.

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Rhyzopertha Dominica

Lesser Grain Borers

What do I look Like

lesser grain borer, measuring between 2.5 to 3mm in length, features reddish-brown cylindrical bodies with heads that may be concealed beneath their thoraxes.

Their antennae are segmented into three parts. The larvae, up to 3mm long, are white and equipped three pairs of small thoracic
With three pairs of small thoracic legs

A Little Bit About Me

They have a habit of laying their eggs in grains,
Adults possess the ability to fly, allowing them to infest a wider range of stored materials.

Regular monitoring and proper storage practices play a key role in mitigating the impact of these

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.
Stegobium Paniceum

Drugstore Beetle

What do I look Like

The drugstore beetle measures between 2 to 3.5mm in length, displaying a reddish-brown coloration. Longitudinal lines of fine hairs, their heads are not easily discernible.The larvae of the drugstore beetle are white, reaching lengths of up to 3.5mm, and appear as curled grubs with three pairs of legs

A Little Bit About Me

The life cycle of the drugstore beetle spans from 1 to 6 months

They feed on pharmaceutical products, including dried herbs and plant materials used in drugs. It can also consume a variety of dried foods, spices, hair, leather, books, and museum specimens,

drugstore beetles consume a variety of foodstuffs, including flours, fruits, nuts, biscuits, spaghetti, leathers, dried animals, and spices.,

Where I live

Found throughout Australia.

Where I live

Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) occurs in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and is endemic to Australia.

Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is an introduced pest and is only present in Western Australia, mostly in the south-west of the state.

Tinea Pellionella

Common Clothes Moths

What do I look Like

Clothes Moths, measure 5-8mm, has a beige colour with a small patch of light red hair on the head in its adult stage.
Clothes moth larvae, up to ½ inch long, spin silken tubes and feed within fabric folds, causing threadbare spots.

A Little Bit About Me

Common Clothes Moths target wool and natural fibres, creating a mesh-like appearance in infested clothes., feeding on nesting materials or animal carcasses in nature.

Feeding on nesting materials or animal carcasses in nature.
They also consume lint, dust, and paper products. Clothes moths infest outdoor areas, requiring vigilant monitoring and protective measures for effective management.

moths
Webbing clothes moth (L) adult and (R) larva

The webbing clothes moth larvae are small white grubs and are rarely seen. 

Where I live

They are found across Australia
(Anthrenocerus sp

Carpet Beetle

What do I look Like

Carpet beetles go through multiple life stages. The translucent eggs measure 0.5–1mm. Larvae, dark and 4mm long, are covered with robust bristles. Adults are smaller at 2–3mm, featuring mottled coloring

A Little Bit About Me

The Australian Carpet Beetle, is a native species known for invading homes. Its larvae,are larger than adults, hatching in spring and early summer. Larvae hide in dark areas, feeding on organic material until pupating into adults. Warmer temperatures accelerate their development. The presence of beetles on window sills may indicate an infestation

Where I live

Throughout Australia.

Where I live

Throughout Australia.
Lepisma Saccharinum

Silverfish

What do I look Like

The adult silverfish, measuring approximately 10mm and carrot-shaped, boasts long tail filaments and is covered in smooth, shiny silvery scales.

A Little Bit About Me

Silverfish seek moisture, making bathrooms, basements, and damp masonry in new buildings attractive habitats. Trapped in sinks and bathtubs due to their moisture-seeking behaviour, they may also lurk in bookcases, around closet shelves, behind skirting boards, and near window and door frames. Their introduction to new homes can occur through infested cardboard cartons, books, and papers.

Where I live

Throughout Australia.