Grain Seed Protection

Types of Primary Pest or Pest of Rice Warehouse

One of the main pests that attack rice warehouses is rice pest, these relatively small insects can even enter through small cracks in walls, floors, frames, and storage devices.

One of the main pests that attack rice warehouses is rice pest, these relatively small insects can even enter through small cracks in walls, floors, frames, and storage devices. This main pest is included in the order of beetles or Coleoptera and moths (Lepidoptera), these insects are the main cause of damage to grain and rice.

Rice storage has a higher risk of experiencing this major pest attack, compared to grain. However, even if the grain is stored for a long period of time, it cannot avoid the attacks of these warehouse pests.

According to research by Setyono et al. (2007), there were 17 species of insects that attacked rice warehouses in Indonesia. However, the most common warehouse pests attacking rice and grain warehousing in Indonesia are 6, namely Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera; Curculionidae), Rhizopertha dominica (Coleoptera; Bostrychidae), Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera; Cucujidae), Tenebroides mauritanicus (Coleoptera; Trogosstidae), and Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae).

Let's identify with these 6 main rice warehouse pests:

1. Sitophilus oryzae rice pest

The warehouse pest that attacks rice named Sitophilus oryzae is a warehouse pest that is commonly attack in the tropics. There are two types of Sitophilus which are often being the problem of warehouse pests in Indonesia, namely Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus zeamays.

This pest is included in the order of beetles, and not only attacks rice but also other types of grains such as corn and beans. This pest is a threat to rice and grain warehousing entrepreneurs because it is very easy and fast to breed.

2. Rhizopertha dominica rice pest

This rice warehouse pest is also known as rice powder pest (lesser grain borer) and is commonly found in grain storage. Insects in the larval and adult stages eat the same ingredients. This warehouse pest Rhizopertha dominica will hollow out the seeds and make irregular holes that produce large quantities of powder.

In severe attacks, rice powder pests will be seen on the surface of the sack and the rest of the feeding activity of these insects will be scattered between grain grains, this also indicates the poor aeration of the warehouse which will trigger additional problems, namely the growth of fungi.

3. Tribolium castaneum rice pest

This one pest has a name of red flour beetle, and spreads widely in the tropical region. Tribolium castaneum's favorite food is rice dust due to primary pest attacks or grain that has been damaged. That is why Tribolium castaneum belongs to the category of secondary pests that appear after the presence of primary pests.

High population of this type of pest can be seen from the many hordes of these insects on the surface of grain or rice. The flour beetle larvae like the part of the rice embryo, thus reducing the growth of seeds. Damaged grains will be dirty gray and mixed with skin and dirt. Besides that, it will also cause a musty odor and make rice not suitable for consumption.

The size of this beetle has a body length of 3-4 mm, so it is flat and reddish brown to shiny dark brown and the antenna is sticky.

4. Cryptolestes ferrugineus rice bug

Pests Cryptolestes ferrugineus not only attacks rice, but also other food crop products. Due to the emergence of the Cryptolestes ferrugineus pest, rice grains will be damaged, broken and moldy.

Another name for this pest is the rice rust beetle (rusty grain beetle), which is a group of secondary pests. The area of ​​spread includes high humid tropics and warm subtropics.

The body shape of this type of rice louse is flat (flat), between 1.5-2.5 mm long and reddish brown. It has a distinctive feature, namely a short antenna with a round shape. This rice rust beetle develops from eggs to adults for 23-35 days.

5. Tenebroides mauritanicus rice bug

The type of rice louse Tenebroides mauritanicus is one of the largest in its species because it can reach a size of 10mm. The average life span of this type of lice is 205 days and can eat 171 days of rice from the time it is still larvae to adulthood.

So it can be said that this type of pest is the one that has the longest life span in making damage in the rice warehouse.

6. Corcyra cephalonica rice moth

This rice moth is widespread in Southeast Asia and South Asia. Corcyra cephalonica larvae will stick to rice grains to make it clump and make it a place to live. This pest is one of the primary pests for rice warehouse.

Small moths will be pale brown with a body length of 12-15 mm, a wing span of 15-25 mm, the head has a small bulge so that at a glance it looks like a triangular shape. This rice moth has an average life cycle of 28 days, at 30 degrees with 70% air humidity. Whereas in areas with cold air can live longer, which is 40-60 days.

After reading the 6 types of warehouse pests above, we can better understand the importance of prevention and control of warehouse pests such as rice and moth lice. However, prevention will be better, such as maintaining sanitation of rice warehouses and conducting fumigation.

To do warehouse sanitation and clean the warehouse to the smallest gaps so that it can prevent the appearance of rice pests, use the SILOGUD 250 EC. As for the fumigation, FUMIPHOS 56TB is currently used by owner of rice and grain warehouse or feedmill, and fumigator.

This FUMIPHOS® product is imported specifically by PT. Panca Prima Wijaya. FUMIPHOS® itself can be used for various storage places such as silos, warehouses, containers, ships, and other storage areas.

Make sure you use FUMIPHOS® to prevent and control rice pests such as the various types of rice pests above, because the fumigation ingredients are guaranteed:

  • Does not damage the quality / nutrition of the commodity.
  • Does not change the taste, aroma and color of the commodity.
  • The residue is very low and easily lost by aeration or aeration.
  • Safe for the environment and does not damage the ozone layer.

For consultation and more complete information about FUMIPHOS® products: how to use, prices and even fumigation services please contact PT. Panca Prima Wijaya via Whatsapp or telephone at (+62)85313200188.