granary weevil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Agricultural
Quick answer
What does “granary weevil” mean?
A small, brownish beetle (Sitophilus granarius) whose larvae infest and feed on stored grains.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, brownish beetle (Sitophilus granarius) whose larvae infest and feed on stored grains.
A common pest of grain storage facilities worldwide, also used metaphorically to describe a hidden, destructive element within an organization or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral/pest-related in both contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to the term 'granary' being more established there for a type of bread, but the insect term itself is equally technical in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “granary weevil” in a Sentence
The granary weevil [infests/v].A granary weevil [was found/v].to control/fumigate for granary weevilsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “granary weevil” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The stored wheat had been completely granary-weevilled.
- The silos are granary-weevilling.
American English
- The bin was granary-weeviled.
- The grain is granary-weeviling.
adjective
British English
- We faced a granary-weevil infestation.
- The granary-weevil larvae are legless.
American English
- We have a granary-weevil problem.
- Granary-weevil damage is extensive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of agricultural commodity storage, logistics, and pest control services.
Academic
Used in entomology, agricultural science, and food security research papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by farmers, gardeners, or in news reports about crop storage issues.
Technical
Standard term in pest management, grain storage manuals, and phytosanitary regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “granary weevil”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “granary weevil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “granary weevil”
- Misspelling as 'granery weevil'.
- Confusing it with the 'rice weevil' (Sitophilus oryzae), a related species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, unlike the similar rice weevil, the granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius) is flightless.
They are not poisonous and do not bite or sting, but they contaminate and destroy food supplies, making grain unfit for consumption.
All weevils are beetles (family Curculionidae). They are distinguished by their elongated snouts (rostrums).
Through fumigation, heat treatment, or discarding infested products. Prevention involves storing grain in cool, dry, sealed containers.
A small, brownish beetle (Sitophilus granarius) whose larvae infest and feed on stored grains.
Granary weevil is usually technical/agricultural in register.
Granary weevil: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrænəri ˈwiːv(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪnəri ˈwivəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] He was a granary weevil in the department, secretly undermining projects.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a WEEvil having a feast in a GRANary full of grain.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS HIDDEN CONSUMPTION / A PROBLEM IS A PEST
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of the granary weevil?