Bug Identifier
Drugstore beetle
Community identification

Drugstore beetle

Stegobium paniceum

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Ptinidae
Size
2.25 to 3.5 mm in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found globally in homes, warehouses, and pantries where dried plant products are stored.

Diet & Feeding

Scavenger that feeds on a wide variety of dried plant materials including flour, bread, spices, books, and dried herbs.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are capable of flight and are attracted to light; the larval stage is primarily responsible for damage through burrowing and feeding.

Risks & Benefits

A major pest of stored products and historical museum collections; they do not bite humans or pets but can contaminate food supplies.