Bug Identifier
Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
Community identification

Saw-toothed Grain Beetle

Oryzaephilus surinamensis

Order & Family
Coleoptera (Beetles), Silvanidae (Flat Bark Beetles)
Size
2.5 - 3.5 mm (approximately 1/10 to 1/8 inch)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in pantries, food storage areas, mills, and warehouses, infesting a variety of stored dry food products.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous, feeding on processed dry foods such as flour, cereal, pasta, dried fruits, nuts, pet food, and sometimes chocolate. They cannot attack sound, whole grains.

Behavior Patterns

They are highly active and can move quickly. They are attracted to light and can sometimes be found crawling on walls and ceilings. Females lay eggs directly into food products. Both larvae and adults feed on stored products.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include contamination and spoilage of stored food products, leading to economic losses. They are not known to bite or transmit diseases to humans. They offer no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.