Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Identification
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
The Sawtoothed Grain Beetle is a common stored product pest in food warehouses and grain-based facilities.
Quick Identification
- Slender brown beetle
- ~3 mm long
- Serrated (“sawtooth”) edges on thorax
- Adults typically do not fly
Where We See It
- Packaged foods
- Grain dust areas
- Ingredient bins
- Warehouses
Life Cycle
- 45–285 eggs per female
- Develops at ~63°F and above
- More cold tolerant than merchant grain beetle
Why It Matters
- Feeds on broken grain and dust
- Indicates product spillage or residue accumulation
- Can lead to localized heating in grain
Monitoring & Control
Pheromone monitoring and sanitation are key. Often a secondary feeder following primary grain damage.
Need Help Identifying This Pest?
FSS stored product entomologists can confirm identification through photo review or laboratory analysis, then recommend a facility-specific plan.