Merchant Grain Beetle Identification

The Merchant Grain Beetle closely resembles the sawtoothed grain beetle but is more likely to fly and disperse.

Quick Identification

• Slender brown beetle
• ~3 mm long
• Serrated thorax
• Adults can fly

Where We See It

• Warehouses
• Nut and seed processing
• Grain handling systems

Life Cycle

• 45–285 eggs per female
• Optimal development around 90°F
• Less cold tolerant than sawtoothed grain beetle

Why It Matters

• Feeds on broken grain, bran, and seeds
• Can spread infestations quickly due to flight capability

Monitoring & Control

Flight capability increases reinfestation risk. Monitoring and structural exclusion are important.