The Khapra Beetle, Trogoderma Granarium Everts

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is one of the world’s most feared stored-product pests. Its discovery in California in 1953 led to a massive control and eradication effort which extended until 1966 and cost the government $15 million (Kerr, 1981). Established infestations are difficult to control because of the beetle’s ability to live without food for long periods of time and to survive on foods of low moisture content, its habit of crawling into tiny cracks and crevices and remaining there for long periods, and its relative tolerance to many surface insecticides and fumigants. Therefore, it is important to prevent the khapra beetle’s introduction into uninfested areas (Lindgren, et. al., 1955).