Which insect is a stored product pest associated with grain and seed damage?

• A. Red Flour Beetle
• B. Grain Mite
• C. Rice & Granary Weevil
• D. Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle

Answer: (C)

Pests that cause grain and seed damage are those that attack the kernel itself, not just the surface or processed products. The Rice Weevil and Granary Weevil are classic examples of primary stored-product pests because they bore into intact kernels, creating holes and internal damage that reduce grain quality and weight. This behavior directly damages the seed, making it unfit for milling or planting and lowering market value.

Other pests shown here tend to be associated with processed foods or with damaged grain rather than intact kernels. Red Flour Beetles are typically found in flour and other processed products, feeding on ground-up material rather than drilling into whole seeds. Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles are often found in cereals and stored products but usually infest broken or damaged grains and rely on those conditions rather than attacking sound kernels. Grain Mites mainly feed on mold and fungi on stored grain, indicating quality problems and moisture issues rather than causing direct kernel damage themselves.

So the insect that best fits a stored product pest associated with grain and seed damage is the Rice & Granary Weevil.