
Community identification
Likely cigarette beetle (tobacco beetle)
Lasioderma serricorne
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Ptinidae
- Size
- Adults are about 2–3 mm long, reddish-brown, and oval-bodied.
Natural Habitat
Stored-food cupboards, pantries, warehouses, and homes; often associated with dry plant products and tobacco.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on dried plant materials, including tobacco, spices, grains, herbs, pet food, and powdered foods; adults generally eat little or do not feed.
Behavior Patterns
Adults are strong fliers but often hide in darkness. Females lay eggs in infested products, and larvae mature inside food packages or other dry materials.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to people and not known to transmit disease, but infestations contaminate and damage stored foods. No significant household benefit.