Pantry-pest
Guides
Lasioderma serricorne
cigarette beetle, tobacco beetle, cigar beetle, paprika beetle, tow bug, tobacco borer, cheroot beetle
Lasioderma serricorne is a small stored-product pest beetle, 2–3 mm in length, with a cosmopolitan distribution resulting from human commerce. It is distinguished from similar anobiid beetles by its uniformly serrated antennae lacking a terminal club, flatter thorax profile, and smooth elytra without grooves. The species has a remarkably broad diet, infesting tobacco, cereals, dried fruits, spices, and herbarium specimens. It possesses a mutualistic relationship with yeast-like symbionts (Symbiotaphrina spp.) that assist in protein metabolism and enable survival on nutritionally poor substrates. Strong flight capability and attraction to UV light facilitate its spread and monitoring.
Liposcelididae
booklice, barklice
Liposcelididae is a family of small, flattened psocids commonly known as booklice or barklice, containing approximately 200 species across nine genera. Members are frequently wingless, with fused mesothorax and metathorax in wingless forms. The family represents the free-living sister group to true lice (Phthiraptera), with fossil evidence dating divergence to at least 100 million years ago. Several species, particularly in the genus Liposcelis, are significant pests of stored grain and food products worldwide.
Liposcelis
Domestic Booklice, Booklice, Psocids
Liposcelis is a genus of approximately 126 species of minute insects commonly known as booklice or psocids. Many species are strongly associated with human habitation and are significant pests of stored products worldwide. They are particularly problematic in grain stores, museums, libraries, and food processing facilities where damp conditions prevail. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, with species found across all continents. Liposcelis species are closely related to lice (order Phthiraptera) and share morphological similarities with them.
Liposcelis fusciceps
Liposcelis fusciceps is a species of booklice in the family Liposcelididae, described by Badonnel in 1968. Species in this genus are among the smallest insects, typically measuring about 1 mm in length. They are commonly associated with stored products and human dwellings. The genus Liposcelis is widespread and includes numerous species that are significant pantry pests.
Liposcelis ornata
booklouse
Liposcelis ornata is a species of booklouse described by Mockford in 1978. It belongs to the family Liposcelididae, a group of small, wingless or weakly winged insects commonly associated with stored products and human habitats. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and South America.
Liposcelis pearmani
Liposcelis pearmani is a species of booklouse in the family Liposcelididae, described by Lienhard in 1990. It belongs to a genus of small, wingless insects commonly associated with stored products and human dwellings. Like other Liposcelis species, it is likely a pantry pest, though specific details about this particular species are limited in available sources.
Mezium americanum
American spider beetle, black spider beetle
Mezium americanum, commonly known as the American spider beetle or black spider beetle, is a small stored-product pest in the family Ptinidae. Adults measure 1.5–3.5 mm and are recognized by their rounded abdomens, long slender legs, and glossy black or reddish elytra contrasting with a dull yellow hairy body. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution and is considered exotic in Australia. It is frequently mistaken for spiders or mites due to its distinctive body shape.
Oryzaephilus
sawtoothed grain beetles, merchant grain beetles
Oryzaephilus is a genus of small, flattened beetles in the family Silvanidae, comprising 16 described species. The genus includes two major stored product pests: O. surinamensis (sawtoothed grain beetle) and O. mercator (merchant grain beetle), which are nearly identical in appearance and frequently confused. Most species in the genus are associated with stored grain products, though some inhabit natural environments under bark and leaf litter. The genus is characterized by distinctive saw-like projections on the pronotum and complete metamorphosis with rapid development under favorable conditions.
Plodia
Indian meal moth (P. interpunctella), pantry moth, flour moth, grain moth, weevil moth
Plodia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1845. The genus contains three species, with P. interpunctella (Indian meal moth) being the most economically significant as a cosmopolitan pest of stored food products. Adults are small moths with distinctive wing banding, while larvae infest grains, dried fruits, nuts, and other stored goods. The genus is notable for its association with human food storage environments worldwide.
Stegobium paniceum
Drugstore Beetle, Bread Beetle, Biscuit Beetle
Stegobium paniceum, commonly known as the drugstore beetle or biscuit beetle, is a small stored-product pest that infests a wide variety of dried plant materials. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Stegobium. The beetle is notable for its ability to feed on toxic substances including strychnine, tobacco, and habanero peppers, and is a significant pest in homes, warehouses, museums, and the tobacco industry. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light and females emit sex pheromones that peak 3-4 days after emergence. The species harbors yeast-like symbionts (Symbiotaphrina) that provide nutritional supplementation.
Tribolium
flour beetles
Tribolium is a genus of beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as flour beetles. Several species are major pests of stored grain products worldwide, particularly Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) and Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). The genus has also become an important model organism in developmental biology and genetics research due to its ease of laboratory rearing and amenability to RNA interference techniques.
Tribolium castaneum
Red Flour Beetle, Rust-red Flour Beetle
Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, is a cosmopolitan pest of stored grain products and a well-established model organism for genetic and developmental research. Adults are small, reddish-brown beetles approximately 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its amenability to RNA interference techniques, making it valuable for studying segmentation, body plan development, and gene function. In stored product environments, it causes significant economic damage to flour, cereals, pasta, and other dry goods. Females are polyandrous, mating with multiple males.
Trogoderma inclusum
larger cabinet beetle
Trogoderma inclusum, commonly known as the larger cabinet beetle, is a stored product pest in the family Dermestidae. It has a broad global distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Northern Asia, North America, Oceania, and Southern Asia. Research indicates it is more resistant to long-term mating delays than its congener Trogoderma variabile, maintaining higher egg production and progeny emergence as females age. The species is a target for integrated pest management strategies including mating disruption and insecticide-incorporated netting.