Where is the khapra beetle found?
The Khapra beetle is native to India and has become established in other countries in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia and Africa.
What countries have the khapra beetle?
The khapra beetle is native to India but has become established in many tropical and subtropical countries. It has also been reported in many countries throughout Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe and South America.
Why are khapra beetles bad?
While khapra beetle does not pose an immediate risk to human health, when stored products become contaminated by khapra beetles, their cast skins and hairs from its larvae can be a human health risk by causing gastrointestinal, dermatitis and respiratory issues.
Is khapra beetle an invasive species?
The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is one of the world’s most feared stored-product pests. In fact, it has been described as one of the 100 worst invasive species worldwide (Lowe et al. 2000).
What do khapra beetles eat?
Khapra beetle will feed on most any dried plant or animal matter but prefers grain and cereal products.
What are hosts of khapra beetle?
Host range: Wheat, maize, jowar, rice, pulses, oil seeds and their cakes.
Which is the damaging stage of khapra beetle?
Symptoms of damage Adults are harmless. Grub damages the grain starting with germ portion, surface scratching and devouring the grain. It reduces the grain into frass. Excessive moulting results in loss of market value due to insanitation caused by the cast skin, frass and hair.
Where did the khapra beetle originate from?
Origin and Distribution The khapra beetle is thought by some to be native to the Indian subcontinent. It occurs in hot, dry areas and is especially abundant in certain areas of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia . It has been spread long distances through the movement of infested grain.
Why are grain beetles in my bedroom?
In most cases, foreign grain are associated with newly constructed buildings. Moisture from the green wood supports mold and fungus on wood and drywall. Foreign grain beetles feed on this, allowing their numbers to build up in wall voids. Eventually, they come out into the living areas of homes.
Are grain beetles harmful?
Merchant grain beetles aren’t dangerous, they are considered to be nuisance pests, they don’t transmit diseases and don’t bite or sting people. Merchant grain beetles do however infest stored food products, contaminating them and requiring them to be thrown out- causing homeowners stress and money.
What is the family of khapra beetle?
Skin beetles
Khapra beetle/Family