Definition

Noun 1. A type of beetle harmful to stored grains: The term "black weevil" refers specifically to a small, dark brown to black beetle (scientific name: Sitophilus oryzae or similar species) known for infesting and damaging stored food products, particularly rice and other cereals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer discovered a black weevil infestation in his silo of rice.
  • Effective storage methods are crucial to prevent damage from the black weevil.
  • This particular black weevil is a major pest of stored grain worldwide.

Advanced Usage

• As a subject in agricultural science: The term is used in technical contexts discussing pest control, entomology, and post-harvest crop protection.
  • Research on the life cycle of the black weevil helps in developing targeted pesticides.

Variants and Related Words

• Rice weevil: A common synonym for the same insect.
• Grain weevil: A broader term that may include the black weevil and other similar species.
• Sitophilus oryzae: The scientific name for the most common species referred to as the rice or black weevil.

Synonyms

• Rice weevil
• Grain beetle (in a general sense)
• Stored product pest

Notes on Meaning

• The term "black weevil" is often used interchangeably with "rice weevil." While the adult beetle is typically a dark reddish-brown to black, the name primarily denotes its behavior as a pest of stored grains, not solely its color.
• It is distinct from other agricultural pests like the boll weevil (which attacks cotton) or the vine weevil (which attacks plants).

Noun

1. brown weevil that infests stored grain especially rice