Saw Toothed Grain Beetle

In an infestation this species of beetle can reduce the dry mass of the stored products. Furthermore, due to their activity they increase the content of water which can lead to the growth of mould.

Appearance

  • Dark brown
  • Slender 2.4–3 mm
  • “Teeth” run down the prothorax

Habits

  • Adult can readily enter sealed cardboard boxes and soft plastic packages
  • Affects processed products, dried fruit and packaged foods
  • Prefer cereal based products but have been known to attack a variety of food

Life Cycle

  • Females lay 40–280 eggs
  • 6–10 month average lifespan, but have been known to live up to 3 years
  • Larvae pupate by constructing a cocoon using broken pieces of grain
  • Adults emerge 1 week later

Signs of Infestation

  • Severe infestations can cause grain to become overheated
  • At immature stages the pest is inconspicuous, but adult bettles can be seen moving rapidly over stored food.