PEST NAME : BISCUIT or DRUGSTORE BEETLE (Stegobium paniceum L)

SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOUR : 2 to 4mm.  Reddish brown, head tucked below thorax, loose three segmented club antennae, wing covers finely ridged.

BIOLOGY :  20 to 100 eggs laid in the food material.  Larvae chew their way through the foodstuff and any packaging making tiny holes.  4 moults as larvae until full grown at 5mm.  The cocoon is formed in the food material and is covered with tiny food particles.  The life cycle is completed in approximately 200 days at 17oc but in 70 days at 28oc.

PREFERRED FOODS :  Biscuits, pet food cereals and biscuits, old dried dough, breakfast cereals, spices, herbs, flour, nuts, dried fruits and seeds.

HABITAT : World wide, bakeries, warehouses, a pantry pest and often found in stored food samples in labs and test kitchens.  Will readily fly in warm environment is highly attracted to UV light