Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in pantries, kitchens, and food storage areas. They infest a wide range of stored products, especially grains, cereals, pasta, dried fruit, nuts, and pet food.

Diet & Feeding

They are scavengers that feed on processed foods, particularly grains, flour, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and pet foods. They cannot infest whole, undamaged grains but thrive in broken kernels and processed products.

Behavior Patterns

Sawtoothed grain beetles are significant pests of stored food products. They are active and can quickly move between food items. Both larvae and adults cause damage by feeding on stored foods. Females lay eggs individually or in small clusters within food material, and the larvae develop within the food. They have a relatively short life cycle, allowing for rapid population growth under favorable conditions (warm temperatures and high humidity). They are often found hiding in cracks and crevices within pantries or food storage containers.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include contamination and spoilage of stored food products, leading to economic losses and potential health concerns if infested food is consumed. They can cause significant damage to food supplies in homes, warehouses, and grocery stores. They are not known to bite humans or transmit diseases. There are no known benefits associated with this pest.

Identified on: 9/9/2025