Drugstore beetle

Natural Habitat

Worldwide distribution, commonly found in pantries, kitchens, pharmacies, and museums where stored dry goods are kept.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous; they feed on a vast range of dried plant products including flour, bread, spices (like paprika and chili powder), coffee beans, and even non-food items like leather, books, and prescription drugs.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are capable of flight and are attracted to light. They have a symbiotic relationship with yeast that produces B vitamins. Females lay eggs in food sources; larvae are small, white grubs that tunnel through and contaminate product during their growth period.

Risks & Benefits

They are major pests of stored products, causing economic loss and food contamination. They do not bite or sting and do not pose a direct health risk, but infested food should be discarded. They have no notable benefits to the ecosystem in a domestic setting.

Identified on: 3/30/2026