Pagiocerus frontalisis endemic to South America (Ruppel 1960, Schedl, K. E. 1965, Beaver 1973, Gómez and Aguilera 1982, Kirkendall 2018, Schrader and Adler 2021), has spread to Caribbean islands, Central America, Mexico and US, has been introduced in Europe (Sanchez et al. 2020) and recently established in Tanzania (Chidege et al. 2026a). This species is a pest of maize (Yust 1957, Sarmiento and Diaz 1982, Saldarriaga Velez 1984, Herrera Armijos 2024), and avocado (Atkinson and Martinez 1985, De DiosÁvila et al. 2021), reported on coffee berries (Gianoli et al. 2006b), and is a quarantine pest in Germany (Schrader and Adler 2021), Japan and New Zealand (California avocado growers 2015). It was eradicated in Switzerland (Sanchez et al. 2020). Maize is infested in the field and as infestation grows during storage grain is damaged. The potential establishment of P. frontalis has been investigated for Kenya (Okello 1994), Russia (Petrov et al. 2026) and Tanzania (Chidege et al. 2026b-d). Eidt-Wendt and Schulz (1991) and Okello (1996a, b) investigated life history over a range of environments. Beauveria bassiana (Tituaña Peralta 2022), (deltramethrin (Aldana 1994), essential oils (Herrera Armijos 2024), methoxychlor, lindane, malathion and pyrenone dusts (Yust 1958), mixed cropping (Gianoli et al. 2006a) and ozone (Cevallos Taxi 2020) have been studied for the pest management of P. frontalis.
Aldana, H. M. 1994. Eficiencia de la Deltrametrina en polvo (K-Obiol) en el control de los gorgojos del maíz Sitophilus oryzae (L.) y Pagiocerus frontalis (F.) en la zona maicera de Caqueza (Cundinamarca) (Efficiency of Deltramethrin powder (K-Obiol) in the control of corn weevils Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Pagiocerus frontalis (F.) in the corn-growing area of Caqueza (Cundinamarca)). Agronomía Colombiana, 11(1): 20-33.
Atkinson T.H. and Martinez A.E. 1985. Notes on biology and distribution of mexican and central american Scolytidae (Coleoptera). 1. Hylesininae, Scolytinae except Cryphalini and Corthylini. Coleopterists Bulletin39: 227-238. Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius). MEXICO: MEX: Malinalco, 20-XII-56, H. Moreno; PUE: Atlixco, 24-X-80, seed of Persea americana, S- 116, N. Bautista M.; Tianguismanalco, 19-I-83, 2,150 m, seed of P. americana, S-850, THA; GRO (new state): Chilpancingo, 12-XII-58, J. Rivera.
Beaver, R. A. 1973. Biological studies of Brazilian Scolytidae and Platypodidae (Coleoptera). II. The tribe Bothrosternini. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 26(1-24): 227-236. Only one specimen of Pagiocerus frontalis was obtained, from a light trap at the edge of gallery forest
California avocado growers 2015. (https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/articles/pagiocerus-frontalis-weevil). Pagiocerus frontalis does not occur naturally in California; the California Department of Food and Agriculture first identified it being present in San Diego County in 2010 when it was commonly collected in beetle traps in avocado groves; in 2015, it can be found at least as far north as Ventura County Pagiocerus frontalis is listed as a quarantine pest by Japan (https://www.ippc.int/sites/default/files/documents/20130423/1309849796_qp_list_2013042321%3A18En.pdf) and New Zealand(http://piorin.gov.pl/cms/upload/seed.pdf)
Cevallos Taxi, Samuel Federico. 2020. Evaluación del efecto de ozono (o3) en el control de gorgojo Pagiocerus frontalis (F.), en granos almacenados de maíz suave (zea mays L.) en la provincia Cotopaxi, campus experimental Salache, proyecto granos andinos (Evaluation of the effect of ozone (O3) on the control of the weevil Pagiocerus frontalis (F.) in stored soft maize (Zea mays L.) grains in Cotopaxi Province (Salache Experimental Campus, Andean Grains Project 2020)). Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Agronomist Engineer, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi. Highest mortality (92.2 %) at 40 minutes and the lowest at 20 minutes (55.5 %). Germination of maize was not reduced.
Chidege, Maneno Y., Patrick A. Ndakidemi, and Pavithravani B. Venkataramana. 2026a. First record of Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in stored maize in Africa. Zootaxa 5793(1): 184-192. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5793.1.8. Pagiocerus frontalis was first detected in December 2018 on stored provitamin-A maize (CP201) in Arusha, Tanzania, its identity was confirmed through morphological characteristics, feeding behavior, and COI sequence analysis, which revealed close similarity to populations from Mexico and Panama. Early detection and identification of P. frontalis are critical to mitigate this emerging threat to African food security.
Chidege, Maneno Y., Patrick A. Ndakidemi, and Pavithravani B. Venkataramana. 2026b. Competitive interactions among invasive and established storage beetles have implications for maize biosecurity in Africa. Journal of Stored Products Research 119, 103167. Mixed infestations involving Pagiocerus frontalis and Sitophilus zeamais caused higher grain damage (95.83–97.50%) and weight loss (47.91–68.75%) than single-species infestations.
Chidege, Maneno Y., Patrick A. Ndakidemi, and Pavithravani B. Venkataramana. 2026c. Critical thermal thresholds for survival and feeding in the invasive bark beetle Pagiocerus frontalis reveal mechanisms of stored-maize vulnerability. Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49185-9 Optimal performance occurred at 25 °C, with maximal progeny emergence, grain damage, and weight loss, indicating a narrow thermal window for population growth. Lower temperatures (13 and 17 °C) delayed development, suppressed reproduction, and reduced grain losses, while exposure to 33 °C was lethal, causing complete adult mortality and reproductive failure.
Chidege, Maneno Y., Pavithravani B. Venkataramana, and Patrick A. Ndakidemi. 2026d. The invasive bark beetle, Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): as an emerging maize storage pest in Tanzania. Frontiers in Plant Science 17, 1746978. The invasive bark beetle Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which infests maize and avocado seeds, was first detected in Tanzania in December 2018 in stored provitamin A yellow maize (CP201). demonstrate that P. frontalis can inflict substantial damage across all major maize varieties in Tanzania
De DiosÁvila, N., Velasco, C. R., Campos, J. C., Solorio, A. B., Miranda, J. L. D., and Virgen, M. O. E. 2021. Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) associated with avocado Persea americana Miller (Lauraceae) fruit in Nayarit, Mexico. Florida Entomologist 104, 320–321. doi: 10.1653/024.104.0409. In 2019, Pagiocerus frontalis was extraordinarily abundant (about 30 adults per avocado seed) in an avocado orchard located in Nayarit, Mexico. They feed on mature fallen avocados.
Eidt-Wendt, J. and F. A. Schulz. 1991. Studies on the biology and ecology of Pagiocerus frontalis(Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) infesting stored maize in Ecuador. Pages 61-68 in: F. Fluerat-Lessard and P. Ducom (eds.). Proceedings of the 5th International Working Conference on Stored-Product Entomology, Bordeaux, France, Imprimerie Médocaine, Blanquefort Cedex, France.
Germann C 2010. Die Rüsselkäfer (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) der Schweiz – Checkliste mit Verbreitungsangaben nach biogeografischen Regionen (The weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) of Switzerland – Checklist with distribution data by biogeographical region). Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 83: 41–118.
Gianoli, Ernesto, Isaías Ramos, Armando Alfaro-Tapia, Yolvi Valdéz, Erik R. Echegaray, and Erick Yábar. 2006a. Benefits of a maize–bean–weeds mixed cropping system in Urubamba Valley, Peruvian Andes. International Journal of Pest Management 52(4): 283-289. There was a significant adverse effect on crop diversity with the maximum abundance of both Carpophilus and Pagiocerus frontalis.
Gianoli, E., Salazar, M., and Araya, J. 2006b. Occurrence of Pagiocerus frontalis in coffee berries in Ecuador. J. Trop. Agric. 44, 101–105.
Gómez, D.L.and Aguilera, P.A. 1982. Biología de Pagiocerus frontalis (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) en la I Región de Chile. (Biology of Pagiocerus frontalis (Fab.) Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in region I of Chile.). Idesia (Chile) 6: 79–92.
Herrera Armijos, Osmany Manuel 2024. Aceite esencial de origen vegetal como potencial controlador del gorgojo Pagiocerus frontalis en maíz blanco almacenado (Plant-derived essential oil as a potential control agent for the weevil Pagiocerus frontalis in stored white maize). Graduation Project, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Agricultural Engineer, Universidad Nacional de Loja. In the Andes region, white maize (Zea mays) is traditionally one of the key foods grown during the rainy season and stored for future use; in small units of stored maize grains in cold climates, the weevil Pagiocerus frontalis is the most important pest, causing more than 30% losses. Synthetic insecticides are used for its control.
Kirkendall, Lawrence R. 2018. Invasive bark beetles (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Chile and Argentina, including two species new for South America, and the correct identity of the Orthotomicus species in Chile and Argentina. Diversity 10(2): 40. New Chilean regions and new host records are given for Pagiocerus frontalis (F.), a species that breeds in Lauraceae seeds but also in stored maize. Spread has obscured traces of its original distribution. The specimens from Chile are probably not native. There are no collections from Lauraceae in native forests of Chile or from bordering Argentinian Patagonia.
Okello, Sebastian P. 1994. Investigations on the Pest Potential of Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) upon Possible Introduction to Kenya. Technische Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Internationale Agrarentwicklung, Institut für Nutzpflanzenforschung Fachgebiet Phytomedizin, (Department of International Agricultural Development, Institute of Crop Research Division Phytomedicine)
Okello, S., Reichmuth, F., and Schulz, F. 1996a. Laboratory investigations on the developmental rate at low relative humidity and the developmental temperature limit of Pagiocerus frontalis (Fab.) (Col., Scolytidae) at high and low temperatures. Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde Pflanzenschutz Umweltschutz 69: 180–182. doi: 10.1007/BF01908441
Okello, S., Ch Reichmuth, and F. A. Schulz. 1996b. Observations on the biology and host specificity of Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) at 20° C and 25° C and 75% rh/Untersuchungen zur Biologie von Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) bei 20° C, 25° C und 75% rh. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz/Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 377-382.
Petrov, A.V., S.Yu. Mukhanov, O.A. Kulinich, E.N. Arbuzova 2026. The risk of invasion of the corn bark-beetle Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) to the European part of Russia. Euroasian Entomological Journal 5(1): 14–18. Observations on the biological characteristics of the corn bark-beetle Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius, 1801) were conducted in its native range and the possibility of its spread across Europe was analyzed.
Ruppel, Robert F., Gilberto Bravo and William H. Hatheway 1960. Effectiveness of Mixtures of Acrylonitrile and Carbon Tetrachloride against Three Pests of Stored Corn. Journal of Economic Entomology 53(2): 238–242, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/53.2.238 Few adults of Pagiocerus fiorii (Egg.) were also in the grain.
Saldarriaga Vélez, Alfredo. 1984. El Pagiocerus frontalis (F.), Plaga Del Maiz Almacenado: Biologia, Habitos V Notas Ecologicas (Pagiocerus frontalis (F.), Stored Corn Pest: Biology, Habits V Ecological Notes). Revista Colombiana de Entomología 10(3-4): 9-14. DOI:10.25100/socolen.v10i3-4.10280 Pagiocerus frontalis (F.) is the main coleopteran insect pest of farinaceous corn type grains stored under traditional conditions used by small farmers in the cold climate areas of Colombia.
Sanchez, A., Chittaro, Y., Germann, C., and Knížek, M. 2020. Annotated checklist of Scolytinae and Platypodinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) of Switzerland. Alpine Entomology, 4, 81. As shown by Germann (2010) and confirmed by Beat Forster (pers. comm.), P. frontalis was introduced in 1996 in Switzerland by a tourist in possession of ornamental corn seeds from Peru, but the population was eradicated. The species is not established in Switzerland.
Sarmiento M. J. and Diaz M. C. 1982. Efecto del ataque de Sitophilus oryzae(L.) y Pagiocerus frontalis(Fabr.) en la viabilidad de la semilla de maiz (Effect of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabr.) attack on maize seed viability.). Rev. per. Ent.25: 65-68.
Schedl, K. E. 1965. The genus Pagiocerus Eichh. Important pests of maize. Riv. Agric. Subtrop. Trop. 59: 300-308. Pagiocerus frontalis occurs in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French-Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States of America (Southeast, individual findings in California, current status unknown), Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela The species has been found in Europe in imported maize.
Schrader G. and Adler C. 2021. Express PRA for Pagiocerus frontalis //Institute for national and international plant health. https://pra.eppo.int/pra/859b6f7c-305a-496a-88cc-010bb453ef5b. The bark beetle Pagiocerus frontalisis endemic to South America and so far, it does not occur in Germany. An occurrence in Italy could not be confirmed. Due to unsuitable climate conditions, it is assumed that P. frontaliscannot establish in the field in Germany, but possibly in maize storage facilities. Establishment in the field in warmer EU-Member States and establishment in maize storage facilities cannot be excluded. Intercepted consignment P. frontaliswith must be destroyed, treated or rejected.
Tituaña Peralta, J. I. 2022. Evaluación de Beauveria bassiana para el control del gorgojo barrenador del grano (Pagiocerus frontalis), en grano almacenado de maíz (zea mays L.), bajo condiciones controladas (Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for the control of the grain-boring weevil (Pagiocerus frontalis) in stored maize (Zea mays L.) grain under controlled conditions), Salache–Latacunga–Cotopaxi-2021 Ecuador: Latacunga: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC)]
Yust, H. R. 1957. Biology and habits of Pagiocerus fioriiin Ecuador. J. Econ. Entomol. 50: 92-96. (Pagiocerus frontalis) The most serious pest of stored soft corn in the mountain valleys of Ecuador is Pagiocerus fiorii (Egger). Both the larvae and adults feed within the kernels reducing the corn to powder and hulls. In the warmer valleys, the damage from the weevil is often so severe that the corn has no value within 3 or 4 months. The adults fly to the field and attack the mature corn in the husks so it is usually infested when harvested.
Yust, Harold R. and Miguel A. Cevallos G 1958. Insecticide Protection Against Pagiocerus fiorii in Ecuador. Journal of Economic Entomology 51(4): 468–469, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/51.4.468 Methoxychlor, lindane, malathion and pyrenone dusts
storedproductinsects 