Drugstore Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide, mainly indoors in dried plant products. They thrive in warm environments and are common pantry pests found in flour, cereal, spices, dry pet food, and even prescription drugs.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on a vast array of dried plant products, including bread, flour, spices, chocolates, and even non-food items like books, manuscripts, leather, and wool. They are historically known for infesting pharmacological products.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and can fly. The larval stage causes the most damage as they tunnel through the food source. They create characteristic 'shot holes' in packaging when they emerge as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major stored product pest that can contaminate and destroy food supplies, medicines, and museum collections. Benefits: They serve as decomposers in nature but offer no direct benefit to humans in domestic settings.

Identified on: 2/28/2026