Whats this bug?

[Rajesh Sethi]

They came out of a bag in store room with wheat flour. May be 100- 200 in number. size 2-3 mm
Help!

 

[Beth_B]

That's a weevil.

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

They are not harmful? are they?

 

[roadrunner]

It can be both harmful and beneficial, since weevils are plant feeders. However, since you found them in the flour and they are still alive, at least you know the flour is not contaminated by pesticides

http://animals.mom.me/weevils-dangerous-8076.html


Excerpt:

"In some cases, weevils benefit humans by serving as test subjects to determine whether residue from pesticides remain in harvested grains. If weevils eat the grains and die, observers know pesticides are present."

 

[Beth_B]

Well yes, they destroy grain crops and lay eggs inside rice, wheat, etc. I sure wouldn't want to eat that flour.

 

[roadrunner]

You may not want to eat it, but it'd be perfectly safe to eat it and also nutritious, once you get past the factor

Interesting article on that: http://travel.usnews.com/features/Countries_That_Eat_Bugs/

 

[Beth_B]

Yeah, I know...In December there was a symposium in Detroit touting the benefits of eating bugs. I get that. And I'm aware that we all inadvertently eat bugs, rodent hair and poop probably daily.

But none of that overrides the ick factor for me personally!

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

You may not want to eat it, but it'd be perfectly safe to eat it and also nutritious, once you get past the factor

Interesting article on that: http://travel.usnews.com/features/Countries_That_Eat_Bugs/

It was a small 5 KG (11 pound) pack that was opened, at first I thought it was ladybug, ladybug sometimes get into house and are in large number, they had those spots, dome shaped body, play possum when touched.

Again when I think about it ladybugs are more brightly colored.

"perfectly safe to eat"-yuck!, who eat bugs. thought of it turns my stomach!

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

Thanks all for the help!