Similarly to the other stored product insects, the Flat grain beetle can be found in places, where cereals are stored, as well as foods such as flour, wheat, dried fruits, nuts, barley, rice, corn, etc… This pest can also be found infesting products like chilies and cassava root, which is typical for Latin America and parts of Africa but have been imported into the UK and Ireland. This family consists of the Flour mill beetle, the Rusty grain beetle and the Flat grain beetle. The Flat Grain beetle is part of the ‘bran bugs’ family. Control MethodsĬontrol of these pests begins with a thorough inspection, source the location and then the destruction of the infested food.įlat Grain Beetle ( Cryptolestes Pusillus ) In general, fungi may play a significant role in the nutrition of flour beetles. They cannot feed on whole grain, but can feed on broken kernels that are usually present. They have been reported from grain, flour, and other cereal products, beans, cacao, cottonseed, shelled nuts, dried fruit, dried vegetables, drugs, spices, chocolate, dried milk, animal hides, herbarium and museum specimens. Infestation Signsįlour beetles can be found infesting a variety of grain and food materials. The head and a distinctive forked process at the tip of the abdomen are slightly darkened. They are a light honey color and about 6 mm (1/4”) long. Larvae of both species are nearly indistinguishable. Adult beetles are approximately 3.5 mm (1/7”). Both species are cosmopolitan in their distribution. The sides of the red flour beetle are curved, whereas the thorax of the confused flour beetle is straight. Another slight difference is in the shape of the thorax. The club of the confused flour beetle antennae is four segmented and forms the club gradually. The antennae of the red flour beetle is distinctly club-like, with a three-segmented club. The two can be easily separated based on antennal characteristics. The red flour beetle is named after its rust-red color. The confused flour beetle was named because of the confusion over its identity. A thorough clean up is advised, using a vacuum cleaner to get into the cracks and crevices followed by a treatment using a broad spectrum residual insecticide.Ĭonfused Flour Beetle ( Tribolium Confusum ) Within commercial situations, the use of insect monitors is key to help pinpoint the infestations. Control MethodsĬontrol of these pests begins with a thorough inspection, source the location and then the destruction of the infested food. The life cycle requires one to four months when temperatures are favourable and the female may live for as long as 2 years. These beetles often hitchhike into the house in infested flour and can build up into large populations on food accumulations in cabinet cracksĪnd crevices and in furniture. Rust-Red Flour Beetle ( Tribolium Castaneum )Īdult elongate, 2.3 – 4.4 mm in length colour, reddish-brown antennae with distinct, 3 – segmented club at tip no ridge present above each eye.īeetles attack milled grain products such as flour and cereals. Where appropriate apply insecticides to the fabric of stores or apply grain protectants.Clean stores thoroughly before harvest and seal all building cracks and crevices.Use trapping methods to identify and measure insect infestations.Other signs may be broken packaging and debris of the product found around the product pack. The typical infestation signs of this flour beetle are similar to the ones of the other family members – development and accumulation of mould in the product with the increasing size of the infestation, as well as change of the product colour – it may change to grey. The Broad-horned flour beetle, just like the majority of the stored product insects, is not dangerous to people or pets, however, the infested products should not be consumed. The structure between the base of the front legs is parallel-sided and pointed at the tip. Mandibles of males are highly enlarged and horn-like, with the sides of head having flange-like processes. The broad-horned flour beetle is 3-4 mm, flattened, parallel-sided and reddish-brown. Broad Horned Flour Beetle ( Gnatocerus Cornutus )
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