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Keller's insect models: The wheat weevil

Alfred Keller1935

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
Berlin, Germany

The wheat weevil (Sitophilus granarius) is a member of the Curcolionidae family. They do not possess a mobile proboscis for sucking and cutting, but their head is elongated, reminiscent of a proboscis, with mouthparts adapted to chewing and biting. The females use them to bore holes into grains and deposit their eggs. They use their body secretion to seal the hole. Inside, the larvae feast on the grain for up to two months, then form pupae. After another week, the weevils hatch, mate and produce more eggs. Thus, three to four generations reproduce every year in grain stores. Although they are unable to fly, they spread all over the world with grain transports.

Wheat Weevil on a Wheat Grain (Sitophilus granarius), model magnified 85 times

Details

  • Title: Keller's insect models: The wheat weevil
  • Creator: Alfred Keller (MfN), Carola Radke (MfN)
  • Date Created: 1935
  • Physical Location: Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
  • Subject Keywords: Insect, Alfred Keller
  • Type: Model
  • Rights: © Museum für Naturkunde. All rights reserved.

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