Maize Weevil vs Knapweed Gall Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maize Weevil Knapweed Gall Weevil
Scientific Name Sitophilus zeamais Bangasternus fausti
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Curculionidae
Size 2-4mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Indoors Grasslands
Diet Seed Feeders Gall Makers
Regions Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Oceania Europe, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Maize Weevil

A small dark brown weevil with four reddish spots on its elytra. It is one of the most destructive stored grain pests worldwide.

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Did You Know?

A single female can lay over 400 eggs in grain kernels and infestations can destroy entire harvests in storage.

Knapweed Gall Weevil

A weevil that induces galls in knapweed flower heads. Larvae develop inside the enlarged flower buds. Used in biological control of invasive knapweeds in North America.

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Did You Know?

Released in North America as biocontrol for invasive spotted knapweed, which costs ranchers millions annually.