{"id":3960,"date":"2010-12-22T11:48:41","date_gmt":"2010-12-22T16:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/"},"modified":"2023-01-26T14:36:47","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T19:36:47","slug":"5034e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5034e\/","title":{"rendered":"Grain Beetles"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n \n \"Print\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/h3>\n

Pest Management Fact Sheet #5034<\/h3>\n

James F. Dill, Pest Management Specialist
\nClay A. Kirby, Insect Diagnostician<\/em><\/p>\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.
\nFind more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Description & Biology<\/h3>\n

Tiny sawtoothed grain beetles and the closely related merchant grain beetles are found throughout the world.\u00a0 These beetles attack such foods as cereals, breakfast foods, biscuit mixes, sugar, macaroni, flour, rice, dried meats, and dried fruits. They are primarily found wherever these dry foodstuffs are stored. Their presence in food makes it undesirable for human consumption, but no diseases are associated with the insects. The beetles are unable to break or eat through hard-shelled seeds such as corn, but they may be found in grain containing broken kernels or in processed cereal products.<\/p>\n

Grain beetles are most likely to be found in foods that are stored for long periods. Food containers that are replenished without first emptying and cleaning the containers are susceptible to infestation. Cereals and flours are most likely to be infested.<\/p>\n

The adult beetles are brown and about a 1\/8″ (2.5 mm) long. Their flat, narrow bodies make it easy for them to enter cracks in storage areas or packaged materials. The thorax (the middle section of the beetle\u2019s body) has saw-like projections on each side. The merchant grain beetle is capable of flight but the sawtoothed grain beetle is flightless. The worm-like larva is yellowish white, with a black head and three pairs of legs. A mature larva is about 1\/8″ in length.<\/p>\n\n\t\t