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Sawtoothed grain beetle

Sawtoothed grain beetle

Oryzaephilus surinamensis

A species of Oryzaephilus

The sawtoothed grain beetle is a pest of chocolate, tobacco, and drugs around the world. Its scientific name means "rice-lover from Surinam" since the taxonomist Carl Linnaeus first studied a beetle of this species from Surinam. It is commonly found in places where food is manufactured or stored, and it is more common in warmer areas.

General Info About Sawtoothed grain beetle
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Attributes of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Colors
Brown
Habitat
cereal; cereal product; nut; dried fruit
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Sawtoothed grain beetle is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
The Sawtoothed grain beetle can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Sawtoothed grain beetle feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Species Status of Sawtoothed grain beetle
It is distributed throughout the world.
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Distribution Area of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Worldwide
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Appearance of Sawtoothed grain beetle
O. surinamensis is a slender, dark brown beetle 2.4–3 mm in size, with characteristic "teeth" running down the side of the prothorax. It is nearly identical to Oryzaephilus mercator, or the Merchant Grain Beetle, however, O. surinamensis has smaller eyes and a broader, more triangular head; O. surinamensis unlike O. mercator are unable to fly.
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How to Identify Sawtoothed grain beetle?

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Life Cycle of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Egg The egg of sawtoothed grain beetle is laid in crevices within foodstuffs. It is small and difficult to see with the naked eye. The egg phase is short, leading to the next developmental stage.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of sawtoothed grain beetle is white and worm-like with a brown head, consuming food voraciously to fuel rapid growth, molting several times before pupation.
Pupal The pupa of sawtoothed grain beetle undergoes transformation inside a cocoon-like structure, transitioning in form, size, and function, but remains stationary and does not feed during this stage.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult sawtoothed grain beetle displays hardened elytra and a darker coloration, with fully developed wings and reproductive organs. It is active, seeking mates and dispersal opportunities.
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Predators of Adult Sawtoothed grain beetle
Birds, rodents, spiders, mantises
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Interesting Facts About Sawtoothed grain beetle
Sawtoothed grain beetle can enter a state of diapause, a form of dormancy that allows survival during unfavorable conditions.
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Scientific Classification of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Tips for Finding Sawtoothed grain beetle
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Youth Habitat of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Rotting and Decaying Matter, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Sawtoothed grain beetle
Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas, Stored Product Facilities
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How Can You Attract Sawtoothed grain beetle
The most effective food to use as bait for trapping sawtoothed grain beetle would include cereal products, dried fruits, or any type of grain.
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Habitat Preferences of Sawtoothed grain beetle Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of sawtoothed grain beetle are typically deposited in the crevices of stored grains or food products in pantries and warehouses. Larvae, after hatching, remain in the same environment, thriving on the abundant food supply. As they develop into pupae, the sheltered corners and narrow spaces within the storage areas serve as ideal pupation sites. Adults emerge and continue to live within these facilities, exploiting the stored food sources. If one wished to observe the various life stages, they would systematically examine grain storage areas, inspecting between sacks, within the grains themselves, and along the walls of granaries or pantries.
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How and Where Can You Find Sawtoothed grain beetle at Different Life Stages
Adult Sawtoothed grain beetle adults are usually found inside stored grain products or near any spilled grains or cereals. To find them, inspect your pantry, grain silos, or any place that stores food grains and look for signs of infestation, such as insect parts in food.
Are Sawtoothed grain beetle harmful?
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Sawtoothed grain beetle can bore into many foods, diminishing the quality of the foods and affecting sales.

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Where do Sawtoothed grain beetle come from?

Enters homes hiding in food. Storage pests often enter factories or stores during commercial products' manufacturing or transportation process. One sawtoothed grain beetle-infested product on a shelf could lead to an infestation of all the goods in the store, and once people buy those foods to take home, the sawtoothed grain beetle can further infest unsealed foods in those homes. Adult sawtoothed grain beetles might even leave the kitchen and pantry and show up in other domestic areas.
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What is the most effective prevention against Sawtoothed grain beetle?

Check purchased food. Check food packaging and avoid buying products in compromised packaging or anything with silk, web, or cocoons on the packaging.
Seal all solid foods. Keep all dried food in sealed containers to prevent storage pests from entering and infesting the food. Containers can also confine pests that are already in the food inside and stop them from spreading further.
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Keep the food and pantry dry. High humidity is crucial for storage pests, which breed much more quickly under humid conditions compared to a dry setting. Moist food also emits a smell that's highly seductive to pests.
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How to get rid of Sawtoothed grain beetle?

Check the pantry and kitchen. Once the sawtoothed grain beetle is spotted at home, check on all stored food, as it can contaminate multiple foods at the same time.
Use a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner can effectively get rid of food debris on the floor and storage pests in various growth stages.
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Take care of the food. Dispose of any seriously-contaminated food quickly. When the contamination isn't severe, place the food in the freezer for about a week to kill the sawtoothed grain beetles within.
Improve storage conditions. Check the tightness of home container seals and the food pantry. Food and pantry items must be fully dried before they are sealed and put in storage. Additionally, the humidity in the pantry must be kept low.
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Harmful Effects of Sawtoothed grain beetle
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Stored Produce Pest

The sawtoothed grain beetle is known to attack stored dry goods, particularly grains and processed foods, as both an adult and a larva. It breeds quickly in suitable conditions, causing mild to severe damage. Infestations often lead to spoilage, contamination, and economic losses. As larvae develop, they feed and grow within the infested products, making control difficult. The sawtoothed grain beetle's feeding activities speed up the life cycle, perpetuating the infestation problem.

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Hurt Plant

The adult and larval stages of sawtoothed grain beetle are detrimental to plants, chewing on seeds and fruits which can range from mild to severe damage. This feeding habit leads to loss of plant vigor and potential crop failure.

More Effects of Sawtoothed grain beetle

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