( Latin: Oryzaephilus surinamensis)
This is another beetle from the tropics. It has a series of serrations on each side of the thorax. It can live in grain stores and silos and feeds on all types of dried food products, mostly those containing starch such as flour, bread and cereal products, but also in dried fruits and nuts. In recent years it appears to have become quite common in private houses in Europe.
These beetles can live for 3 years, and during the course of her life the female may lay about 400 eggs. They like a high temperature and development is most rapid at 32° C, taking only 25 days from egg-laying to the emergence of the adult beetle from the pupal stage.
Breeding ceases if the temperature falls below 8° C. The beetle itself is very active and can penetrate cracks and crevices, while the small, freshly hatched larvae can find their way even into tightly closed packets of food.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)