The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Grain storage inspections should begin close to Thanksgiving

Inspecting grain bins for pests on or before Thanksgiving is a great rule of thumb for Chouteau County producers. The Lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica is one of the most injurious beetles known to attack stored grain. The Lesser grain borer belongs to the Bostrichidae family of beetles, which are mostly wood boring insects. R. dominica causes major physical and off-odor damage to grain in storage.

Identifying Characteristics: Adults are dark reddish-brown to black in color, and 2-3 mm in length. The head is hidden unde...