Granary and Rice Weevil

The rice weevil and granary weevil are similar in both looks and behavior. Both weevils are around 1/8″ long, although the granary weevil can grow to be a little larger. They are also both colored reddish brown. However, the rice weevil isn’t shiny in appearance and has 4 light red marks on its back. The granary weevil is shiny, and solid colored. The rice weevil can fly and is attracted to light, whereas the granary weevil isn’t. These weevils infest mainly whole grains like corn, rice, rye, seeds, or beans – but occasionally get into other things. The female weevil bores a hole into a single grain, and lays an egg inside. The egg develops inside the grain, feeding on the insides, until eventually an adult emerges. Before they emerge, it is difficult to tell which grains they are in. But after they hatch out, they leave behind the telltale shell remains. Granary and rice weevils can sometimes be seen wandering around away from the infested material. If they are disturbed, they will hold still and play dead for several minutes.