Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in stored food products, pantries, mills, and food processing facilities worldwide. They prefer warm, humid environments.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous, primarily feeds on a wide variety of stored food products including grains (oats, corn, wheat), flour, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, pet food, and candy. They do not feed on whole, undamaged grains but prefer broken kernels or processed products.

Behavior Patterns

Highly mobile and can quickly infest new food sources. Females lay eggs individually in food. Larvae and adults feed on the same materials. They are known for rapid population growth under favorable conditions. They are active at room temperature and can survive freezing temperatures for some time.

Risks & Benefits

Primarily a pest of stored food products, causing significant economic damage by contaminating food with their bodies, feces, and webbing. They do not pose direct health risks to humans through bites or stings, but can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to dust from infested products. No known significant benefits to the ecosystem in their role as a stored product pest.

Identified on: 9/5/2025