Drugstore Beetle / Bread Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in pantries, kitchens, bakeries, and warehouses where stored food products are kept.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous; they feed on a vast range of dried plant products including flour, bread, spices (especially paprika and chili powder), drugs, leather, and books.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are capable of flight and are attracted to light, often appearing on windowsills or UV traps. They have a symbiotic relationship with yeast that helps them digest low-nutrient food.

Risks & Benefits

They are a common household pest that contaminates food sources with feces and shed skins. While they don't bite or carry disease to humans, they can cause significant economic damage to food stocks and museum collections.

Identified on: 4/25/2026