flour weevil
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A small beetle that infests flour and other stored grains: A flour weevil is a type of insect, specifically a beetle, known for contaminating and feeding on processed flour and various stored cereal products. It is a common pantry pest.
Usage
The term "flour weevil" is used to identify the pest responsible for damaging dry food staples in homes, stores, and warehouses. * We had to throw out the bag of flour because it was infested with flour weevils. * Proper storage in airtight containers can help prevent flour weevil infestations.
Advanced Usage
- While commonly called a "weevil," the insects infesting flour are often beetles from the families (darkling beetles, like the confused flour beetle) or (flat bark beetles), rather than true weevils (family ), which typically have long snouts. The term "flour weevil" is a general, colloquial name for these pests.
Variants and Related Words
- Flour beetle: A more precise common name for many species referred to as flour weevils, such as the or the .
- Grain weevil: A related pest that more specifically infests whole grains like wheat or rice.
- Pantry pest / Stored product pest: A broader category that includes flour weevils, moths, and other insects that infest dried foods.
Synonyms
- Flour beetle
- Stored grain insect
- Pantry beetle
Related Phrases
- Weevil infestation: A situation where a large number of these insects are present.
- The warehouse had a serious weevil infestation in its grain stores.
Noun
- an insect that infests flour and stored grains