
Community identification
Sawtoothed Grain Beetle
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera: Silvanidae
- Size
- 2.5 to 3 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Domestic and commercial food storage areas, including pantries, granaries, and warehouses
Diet & Feeding
Stored dry goods specifically grains, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, pasta, and seeds
Behavior Patterns
Non-flying adults provide high mobility through crawling; they possess a flattened body shape to hide in narrow crevices of packaging. Females lay eggs directly into food sources.
Risks & Benefits
Primary pest of stored products that causes food spoilage and economic loss; they do not sting or bite humans but can cause aesthetic and sanitation issues in kitchens.