Smalleyed flour beetle

Classification

Secondary pest; Fungus feeder and scavenger
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Acronym: PRA

Description

• Adults are small reddish brown beetles 2.4 to 3 mm long.
• Larvae are cylindrical and light brown.
• Are one of the smallest flour beetles but can be distinguished by having the eye entire and not incised by the margin of the head.

Similar species

• Broadhorned flour beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus)
• Latheticus species
• Tribolium species

Commodities affected

• Is found in stored grain, milled wheat, oat products, flour mills
• Feeds on plant and dried animal products, especially grain and cereal products

Signs of infestation

• Disagreeable odour in the commodity

Damage

• Damage is not distinctive

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is found worldwide and across Canada

Where found

• Is a mold feeder and scavenger
• Is often associated with Sitophilus infestations where it feeds on the faeces of Sitophilus

Life history

• Females lay eggs amongst the commodity.
• Eggs are sticky and become coated with flour or grain dust.
• Larvae move freely amongst the foodstuff.