Red flour beetle

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in indoor environments where grain, flour, and other dry food products are stored.

Diet & Feeding

Scavenger that feeds on stored grain products, cereals, flour, dried fruit, nuts, and crackers.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are long-lived, sometimes surviving up to three years. They are active crawlers and can fly short distances. They lay eggs directly in food sources where larvae develop.

Risks & Benefits

Major pest of stored products; they contaminate food with their presence and odorous secretions. They do not sting or bite humans but cause significant economic losses in the food industry.

Identified on: 1/30/2026