A “bug” was found alive in this reader’s container of rice in Nipomo, California, and she has seen nothing of the sort before. The bug in question appears to be a worm-like creature which is not even close to being as big as a grain of rice, is an off-white/beige color, has a darker-colored head, and is clearly segmented.

There are several types of worms that can be found in rice such as whipworms and of course, rice worms. Whipworms can be found in beans and other grains as well. There are other creatures that also grow in rice. These include: rice water weevils (Lissorhoptrus spp.), rice stalk borers (Chilo plejadellus Zincken), rice stem maggots (Eribolus longulus Loew), and the rice leafminer (Hydrellia spp.)