Merchant Grain Beetle

Found globally indoors in pantries, kitchens, and food processing facilities, often within packaging of grains, seeds, and nuts.

Feeds on processed grains, cereals, cookies, dried fruits, flour, nuts, and oilseeds; they prefer foods with a higher oil content than their close relative, the saw-toothed grain beetle.

They are active crawlers and are capable of flight. They have a flattened body shape that allows them to squeeze into tiny cracks of food packaging. Their life cycle from egg to adult can be as short as 28 to 35 days in warm conditions.

Considered a significant pest of stored products. They do not bite or sting humans, but they contaminate food supplies with larval skins and waste, requiring disposal of affected items. They provide no significant benefits to the urban ecosystem.