Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Natural Habitat

The sawtoothed grain beetle is a common pest of stored food products and can be found in pantries, warehouses, granaries, and food processing plants worldwide. They infest a wide variety of dry food items.

Diet & Feeding

Stored grains (wheat, rice, corn, oats), flour, cereal products, pasta, pet food, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, and other processed food products. Both larvae and adults feed on these items.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae (often called wireworms, though this term is also used for click beetle larvae) are known to be destructive pests of stored grains and other food products. Adults are typically short-lived and do not feed as much, primarily focusing on reproduction. They are nocturnal and are attracted to light.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: They are significant pests of stored food products, causing economic losses by contaminating and damaging food items. They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to transmit diseases. Benefit: No notable benefits.

Identified on: 8/8/2025