• Larvae damage grains, adults being harmless.  
• Grains are hollowed out.
• It attacks both in fields and stores.
• In stored bulk grain, infestation remains confined to upper 30 cms depth only.
• Caterpillar enters the grain through crack or abrasion on grain.
• It feeds inside and remains in a single grain only.

Identification of the pest

• Egg - White eggs on the surface of damp grains in stores or fields, which soon become red.
• Larva - White with yellow head.
• Pupa - Pupates in cocoon inside the grain.
• Adult - Dirty yellowish brown with narrow pointed wings completely folded over back in a sloping manner.