Drugstore Beetle (also known as the Bread Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in domestic kitchens, pantries, and commercial facilities such as bakeries and warehouses where dry food is stored.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous; larvae thrive on a wide variety of dried plant and animal products, including flour, bread, cereals, dried herbs, spices (including red pepper), and even leather or books.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active flyers and are often attracted to light. They do not feed; their primary purpose is reproduction. The female lays eggs on food sources, and the larvae burrow into the material while feeding.

Risks & Benefits

Significant economic pest of stored products. While they do not bite humans or pets, they contaminate food with frass (waste material) and silk. They are detrimental to museum collections and libraries due to their ability to digest cellulose and book bindings.

Identified on: 1/13/2026