Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in pantries, kitchens, food processing plants, warehouses, and grocery stores. They infest stored dry food products.

Diet & Feeding

Sawtoothed grain beetles feed on a variety of stored food products, including grains, cereals, pasta, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, pet food, and even spices. They do not feed on whole, undamaged kernels but prefer processed or damaged grains.

Behavior Patterns

Sawtoothed grain beetles are highly mobile and can quickly infest new food sources. They can survive cold winters indoors but prefer warm, humid conditions. Females lay eggs directly on food sources, and larvae chew their way out and feed within the food until pupation. Adults can live for several months and reproduce quickly under ideal conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Primarily a pest of stored dry food products, causing contamination and economic loss. While they do not bite or sting and are not known to transmit diseases, their presence can render food unfit for consumption due to contamination with their bodies, feces, and webbing. Benefits: None known for humans; they are generally considered a pest species.

Identified on: 8/14/2025