Saw-Tooth Grain Beetle
Key Features
Sawtooth Grain Beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) are small oblong shaped insects that are dark brown in colour, and are about
2 - 3 mm in length, usually occurring in some numbers.
Can live outside, often on seeds or acorns - but indoors can infest a variety of foodstuffs, such as cereals, cornmeal, cornstarch,
popcorn, rice, dried fruits, breakfast foods, flour, rolled oats, bran, macaroni, sugar, drugs, spices, herbs, candy, dried meats,
chocolate, bread, nuts, crackers, raisins, dried dog and cat food.
Biology
Mated female may lay between 100 and 400 eggs over a period of 6 - 10 weeks. Larvae attack broken or damaged grains,
usually starting with the germ.
Progression from egg to adult can be completed in 20 days under optimum conditions, although 3 months is more usual.
Distribution
World-wide tropical and temperate distribution.
Significance
As one of the main pests of bulk grain storage, O. surinamensis is one of the principal SPI pests. It has an extraordinarily high
breeding potential which is linked to the ability of infestations to increase the temperature of their micro-habitat.
In bulk stores of grain, this may lead to sprouting, mould, charring and large scale economic loss.
Control
Good hygiene practices, and quarantine of inbound goods is recommended. Monitoring products and systems may be used to
time treatments to best effect. Treatments may include Atmosphere control, temperature control, and Fumigation / use of residual
insecticides where appropriate.
