Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Scientific Name: Oryzaephilus surinamensis

Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Silvanidae

Size: Typically 2.5-3 mm (0.10-0.12 inches) in length.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in food storage areas such as pantries, kitchens, warehouses, and grocery stores. They infest processed and unprocessed stored food products.

Diet & Feeding

The sawtoothed grain beetle primarily feeds on a wide variety of stored dry food products, including grains (flour, cereals, oats, rice, cornmeal), pasta, dried fruits, nuts, pet food, birdseed, chocolate, and drugs.

Behavior Patterns

Sawtoothed grain beetles are known for their ability to chew through sealed plastic, cardboard, and foil packaging to access food products. They are highly mobile and will quickly infest new food sources. They can survive and reproduce in a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels, making them persistent pests. Both adults and larvae feed on stored products. Their presence often indicates an infestation that needs to be addressed through sanitation and proper storage of food items.

Risks & Benefits

Potential Risks: Sawtoothed grain beetles are significant pests of stored food products, causing contamination and spoilage of food items. They do not bite or sting humans, and are not known to transmit diseases. Their presence can lead to economic losses for food producers and consumers due to damaged or unsellable products. Benefits: There are no known direct benefits of sawtoothed grain beetles to humans. In the ecosystem, they contribute to the decomposition of plant material, but their role is minor compared to their pest status.

Identified on: 8/19/2025