Broad horned flour beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus)

Pest type: Secondary pest, scavenger.

Distribution: Worldwide, tolerant of temperate conditions.

Identification: The broad-horned flour beetle is 3-4 mm, flattened, parallel-sided and reddish-brown. Mandibles of males are highly enlarged and horn-like, with the sides of head having flange-like processes. The structure between the base of the front legs is parallel-sided and pointed at the tip. Larvae-elateriform, as G. maxillosis.

Similar species: Gnatocerus maxillosis, Latheticus, Palorus, Tribolium.

Life cycle: Optimal development conditions are in 57 days at 24-30 ºC, 66-92 % r.h. An adult female lays 250 to 1000 eggs in her lifetime. Eggs are laid amongst commodities. The larvae are mobile and external feeders. Adults are long-lived, feed on commodities and can fly.

Commodities infested: Dried material of animal and plant origin, especially cereal grain and products. Both larvae and imagos can survive for considerable periods in cracks or other hidden areas where spillage is found. Mold may grow in affected stocks.

Preventive measures include: cleaning and keeping production and storage dry; relative humidity in storage must be maintained between 40% and 60% and ensure that packaging materials such as pallets etc. enter the storage clean and dry.

Treatment: Controlled Atmosphere for infestation in product
Treatment: Heat Treatment for infestation in buildings