Identify an insect
In Canada there are approximately 55,000 species of insects, a small number of which are considered as pests. The Canadian Grain Commission recognizes over 50 species of insects (including grain mites) as pests of stored grain.
The Canadian Grain Commission identifies 20 species of insects as primary pests (19 beetle species and 1 species of moth). Over 33 species are considered to be secondary pests (21 beetle species, 11 moth species, booklice species and grain mites).
Services and information
Insect identification key
A tool used to determine the species of a given insect
Primary insect pests
Primary pests cause damage to stored grains by directly feeding on the grain at some point in their lifecycle
Secondary insect pests
Secondary pests generally feed on grain that is damaged or is going out of condition
Eight common insect pests
Appearance, behavior and development for the eight most common insect pests found in stored grain in Canada
Stored grain insect pest biology
Stored grain insect pest biology gives a description of life stages and insect orders
Glossary of insect terminology
List of definition of terms used in the identify an insect section
