Background:
The khapra beetle, considered to be one of the world's most destructive pests of grain products and seeds, probably originated from regions now including India and Bangladesh, but has since spread to other areas including northern and eastern Africa, southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, the Mideast, and east into Asia. This pest thrives in warm, dry climates. Populations build rapidly in a short time under hot, dry conditions, but can survive in colder climates in heated situations such as warehouses, food plants and grain storages. The beetle can not fly, and is therefore spread mainly by commerce and trade. The problem of preventing the beetle's spread is compounded by its ability to survive for several years with little food, and its habit of hiding in cracks, crevices and even behind paint scales or rust flakes. If left uncontrolled, the insect can make the surface of a grain storage appear alive with crawling larvae. This species is a considered to be a dirty feeder, breaking or powdering more kernels than it consumes. They not only consume the grain, but may also contaminate it with body parts and setae which are known to cause adult and especially infant gastrointestinal irritation.

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