Drugstore beetle / Cigarette beetle

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings, particularly in kitchens, pantries, and warehouses where dried organic materials are stored.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous; they consume a wide variety of dried plant products including flour, cereal, dry pet food, spices, tobacco, and even non-food items like leather or books.

Behavior Patterns

They are active fliers and are often attracted to light. Larvae do most of the feeding damage by tunneling through food sources, while adults are short-lived and primarily focus on reproduction.

Risks & Benefits

They are major household and commercial pests that can contaminate large quantities of stored food. They do not bite or sting humans and do not spread disease, but infested food should be discarded.

Identified on: 3/7/2026