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What is this insect? #847846

Asked August 29, 2023, 9:48 PM EDT

This insect has been showing up around our house. It’s 3mm / 1/8” long. What could it be?

Jefferson County Kentucky

Expert Response

Hello Jessica,

I cannot see the color quite perfectly - I am sure it was difficult to get a good picture of the insect. Based on the shape, size, and how it is showing up, I would guess that it is a stored grain beetle of some sort. The specie I think it is most likely to be is a saw toothed grain beetle. There are two other species of stored grain beetles which it may be. Those species are flour beetle and lesser grain borer. If the insect is one of these three species, it is likely reproducing and feeding within some type of feed or grain. I have seen this in the past within oats (oatmeal), cocoa powder, flour, dry corn (including stored fall decorations), and bird feed. 

You may want to see if there is any pattern that the insect is showing up within your house. Are you seeing most of them next to your pantry, decorations, or animal feed? Generally there is a ground zero where you find a lot of them, and then a larger area where they become more sparse. I generally do not recommend spraying an insecticide in a case like this. The important thing is to find where they are reproducing and then get rid of this food. There will likely be dead beetles as well as grubs within the packaging and food. The adult beetles that you are finding around your house will die out in a matter of days if they cannot find food. 

Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or if you are able to get a picture with a bit more color. 

Good luck!

Robby

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 30, 2023, 9:01 AM EDT

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