common south african pests

[duncan drennan]

When I checked my post this morning I found that two little bugs had devoured a hole through my municipal account. This suddenly brought into focus the fact that I have no idea what the common pests are in South Africa, and probably wouldn't know what a borer beetle looked like if it bit me on the toe (after devouring my wooden floors).

So I was wondering what the common ZA pests are, and if there is a website that has pictures and details of the damages that they do.

Suggestions of where to look?

[Dave A]

I've thought of adding something like this to our company website. But I can go quite a long way with a photo. Post a photo of the damage, and let's see how far we go.

The best pest ID area on the web I know of is unfortunately for NPMA (USA) members only.

[duncan drennan]

Photo of damage or photo of beetle? Unfortunately the beetle didn't make it

[duncan drennan]

After a little looking around I *think* it was some type of weevil (small, grey/brown, pointy nose). If I post a photo of the damage all it is going to look like is a piece of paper with some holes eaten into it - or are you particularly skilled in the chewing patterns of beetles?

[Dave A]

are you particularly skilled in the chewing patterns of beetles?

Yes. Most often that is all we've got to work with Whilst I might not be able to get it down to species every time, I can generally get it down to family - or worst case a pest category.

What you have described does sound like a weevil. The next step would be to identify the source. Keep an eye on stored cereal products.

[duncan drennan]

Found this outside in the post box, probably closer to our neighbour's building than to ours...I'll attach a photo later

[duncan drennan]

Here are the best photo's I could get on the digital camera I have (pretty hard without a macro lens)

[Dave A]

Evidence points towards a cockroach, but were the antenna damaged? - they should be longer.

To avoid future damage to mail, remove mail from post box regularly

If you take a flashlight and examine inside the mailbox carefully, you might well find more. In this instance I'll forgive you for using an aerosol insecticide.

[duncan drennan]

Evidence points towards a cockroach, but were the antenna damaged? - they should be longer.

Cockroach? Never seen any type of cockroach that looked like that (but I don't know much about bugs). There were not really any antenna, just a long (relative to size) snout. The beetle wasn't really in a good way for the photo, aerosol insecticide had taken its toll, and a curled up position was all that it could manage for the photo

Anyway, more important for me is what I should keep my eyes open for to avoid wood damage to floors, roof trusses and other wooden items, and what preventative steps I should be taking, and at what intervals.

[duncan drennan]

a better photo!

I managed to get a better and more in focus photo of one this morning (found it on my cat - think he was trying to eat it this was inside though )

[Dave A]

The diversity amongst cockroaches is astounding - there is even a Table Mountain cockroach with a distribution only in the Cape Town area.

When it comes to beetles, the range is even bigger. There is one thing I can say it is not - and that is a woodborer beetle. This one has eaten the paper.

Type of food is pretty specific, it takes some pretty special digestive abilities to eat and obtain nutrition from dry, seasoned timber. When it comes to woodborer beetles, it's the larva stage that does the damage.

A hole in paper caused by woodborer does occur, but only because it's in the way and not for nutrition. The result tends to be a clean hole straight through.

A fairly accurate measurement of length would help.

And for any other pest control types taking this one on, the area is Cape Town. (That eliminated a few of my hot prospects).

[duncan drennan]

A fairly accurate measurement of length would help.

Approx length is 7-8mm (based that on the photo of the one on the paper, may bot be accurate enough for you). Just a side note on the paper eating - the hole was through the envelope, through the bill (if you fold it the holes align), and the postbox is plastic, not wood.

Anyway, more important for me is what I should keep my eyes open for to avoid wood damage to floors, roof trusses and other wooden items, and what preventative steps I should be taking, and at what intervals.

Just to reiterate this point - the most important thing for me as a home owner is to know what to look out for, and what proactive steps can be taken to minimise the chance of damage. A resource with photo's, pointers, and advice could be really useful.

[Dave A]

The closest I could pin it down to is the Family Curculionidae - Weevels, snout beetles.
The write up in Field Guide to Insects of South Africa is as folllows:
Small to very large (body length 1-60 mm), showing enormous diversity in habits, shape and colour. All have a snout with mandables at the end, ranging from short and broad to long and thin, sometimes three times length of body. Antennae characteristically elbowed and clubbed, and attached to the side of the snout. Elytra tough, often with a sculptured surface, and sometimes fused. Legs usually short and stout, with strong claws and adhesive pads on tarsi, giving grip on smooth leaf surfaces. (skip a bit). The family is widespread in most habitats and includes many pests of crops and stored products, most plants host to one or more species. Probably the largest family in the animal kingdom, with some 48 000 species, of which 2500 are known from the region.

Just to reiterate this point - the most important thing for me as a home owner is to know what to look out for, and what proactive steps can be taken to minimise the chance of damage. A resource with photo's, pointers, and advice could be really useful.

Point taken. Two quick ones for now - keep on the lookout for holes in wood and be wary when purchasing second hand furniture. Don't panic when you see a beetle - of the hordes out there, only about 30 species of beetle pose a threat to seasoned timber in South Africa.

[duncan drennan]

thanks!

Thanks for all the help on this Dave! I really appreciate the time you took to figure out what my paper eating beetle was

[Dave A]

It's my pleasure. It didn't take that long, just lots of other stuff going on today too.

BTW that last photo's a beauty (well, except it's backlit - but nicely in focus). Not easy getting those close-ups.