Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a serious pest of stored grains, rice, oilseed and dried food stuffs. Australia exports much of the grain we grow, and if the beetle were to establish here other countries may reject our produce, causing huge economic damage. Khapra beetle’s biology makes it an effective hitchhiker pest. In favourable conditions, adults can lay abundant eggs. Those larvae can survive for a number of years in cracks, crevices and under the floor of sea containers, biding their time in diapause (suspended development). When the right cargo fills the container, the larvae feast and the population explodes. While they prefer food stuffs like grains, rice, chickpeas, seeds, nuts, herbs and spices. They have been known to infest packaging materials and personal effects. Once, they were found hidden in a bride’s wedding gown! #biosecuritymatters You can hear me talk about some of Australia’s experiences with khapra beetle on the Detect and Protect podcast: https://lnkd.in/gvbSzMrH #biosecuritymatters Or read about what to look for here: https://lnkd.in/gxAHxxXD
Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, PhD’s Post
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Making Happy Homes with people and life | Regenerator | Father | Husband | Adventurer | ex-Google, ex-Red Bull
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