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Fact Sheets: Commonly Observed and Asked About Insects and Spiders Found in Alberta

Saw-toothed Grain Beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis)

Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
Credit: Terry Thormin

INTRODUCTION

The Saw-toothed Grain Beetle can at times be a serious pest in stored grain products in houses and apartments. It is also a serious commercial pest. It is found virtually world wide

IDENTIFICATION

This is a small beetle, about 2.5 mm long. It is a slim, dark brown beetle, with a tooth-edged pronotum (the area right behind the head).

DISTRIBUTION

Found worldwide but in more northern climates usually confined to stored grain products in buildings.

TIME OF YEAR

All life stages of the beetle can be found indoors throughout the year

HABITAT AND HABITS

In Alberta this beetle is confined to indoor situations, where it is a pest in stored grain products. It is most likely to be brought into a house in bulk food, and is often a pest in apartment buildings. The easiest way to make sure you do not have this beetle as a pest is to keep your cupboards, counters and floors clean and to keep all dried foods in tight-sealing containers. If you do find any beetles in stored foods, freezing the foods for a day should kill all life stages of the beetle. Although this species can have several generations in a year, adult beetles can also live up to three years.

SIMILAR SPECIES

The Confused Flour Beetle (Tribolium confusum) and the Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum) are about the same size and look rather similar. Both these species are broader across the body and lack the toothed edges to the pronotum.

COMMENTS

This is a pest species that feeds on stored grain products. To ensure your house does not become infested, keep cupboards, counters and floors clean, and store foods in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Note: We cannot provide advice on controlling insect pests. If you need more information beyond what has been provided here, we suggest you either search further on the web, or talk to a local exterminator.
 


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 Last update: June 21 2005