The most important type of pest is the commodity feeder. This type of pest feeds directly on commodities and can be divided into:
Primary pests: those that infest intact commodities.
Secondary pests: require the commodity to be damaged before they can infest it.
Most species have a worldwide or a pan-tropical distribution. Comments on geographical distribution are provided with each pest described.
Many tropical species not established in temperate areas are often intercepted there on infested imports.
For each pest described, the common and scientific name is given including family names, if available. Major features used for identification are indicated; however, as a basic field guide, only those characteristics that are easily visible with a hand lens or basic binocular microscope are emphasized.
With each pest, details are given of the commodities that they infest. Secondary pests usually infest a wider range of commodities and many can feed on almost any dry material of animal or plant origin.
(Cocoa weevil / Coffee - bean weevil )
| Type of pest | Primary pest |
| Distribution | Tropical |
| Identification |
Adult - 3 -5mm, globular, long legs and antennae, elytra patterned with light and
dark patches giving checkered appearance. Last three segments of antennae formless club. Larvae - scarabaeiform, legs party developed |
| Similar species | Bruchids |
| Commodities infested | Cocoa, coffee, dried cassava and yams, maize, groundnuts, Brazil nuts, nutmegs |
( Almond moth )
| Type of pest | Secondary pest |
| Distribution | Worldwide, warm temperate to tropical |
| Identification | Adult - labial palps short and cured upwards. Forewing ( 7- 9mm ) grey with darker markings. Larvae - 15 -20mm. white to pink with black spots ( at base of hairs ), rim of abdominal spiracles evenly thickened |
| Similar species | Hofmannophila, corcyra, plodia, distinction from Ephestia spp only reliable by examination of genitalia |
| Commodities infested | Dried material of plant origin, especially cereal products, oilseeds, cocoa, chocolate, spices, nuts, dried fruit, and processed food |
( Dried fruit beetle )
| Type of pest | Secondary pest, mould feeder |
| Distribution | Worldwide, varies |
| Identification | Adult - 2 -4mm, Oval, flattened, light brown to black. Elytra short leaving two to three segments of abdomen exposed. Elytra often with one or two yellow, reddish or brown spots. Antennae with three segmented globular club C. hemipterus is distinctive, having a large triangular yellow spot on each Elytra. Larvae - campodeiform |
| Similar species | Histeridae |
| Commodities infested | dried and ripening fruit, newly harvested and damp grain, grain residues, compost heaps |
