Rhyzopertha dominica, the rice beetle

Morphological characteristics: The aculeus, body length 2.5-3mm, elongated, cylindrical and reddish-brown. The head is covered by the pronotum. The thorax, on the dorsal surface, bears bumps. In the elytra there are longitudinal lines of small pits. The larva, 4-6 mm long, is scraggly, whitish, with brown head and legs.

Biological cycle: it runs through the stores in all stages. At temperatures of 25-28°C it can have successive 4-6 generations per year. Many larvae in each seed destroy the interior of the seed where they pupate.
Infestation: It is the most abundant warehouse insect on stored rice and wheat in Greece. It also attacks barley, corn, biscuits and other flour products.