The flat grain beetle is a huge pest to grains, mainly wheat, in Canada, though it was initially just a native to Europe. It is commonly found alongcol3 the rice weevil beetle, infesting rice, wheat, and maize. Because of the similarity in color, one could often mistake the reddish-brown flour beetle for the flat grain and vice-versa.
Size: 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.06-0.078 in)
Color: They have a reddish-brown body.
Other Characteristic Features: As evident from their name, these beetles have a flattened appearance with a ridge-like projection on their head and prothorax, alongcol3 a bead-like antenna.
They are pale white or yellow, with darkened horn-like abdominal projections and head capsules. Like the adults, the larvae also have a flattened and elongated body, with prominent legs.
After 21 days, the larva pupates in a gelatinous cocoon.
The eggs are white, laid in flour grain or crevices. They take about five days to hatch.
| Adult lifespan | 42 days |
| Distribution | Worldwide, mostly Europe, and Canada from Quebec to British Columbia |
| Habitat | Kitchen, cellar, granaries, and in all other places where grains and other food items are stored (especially in high moisture conditions) |
| Seasons active | Year-round; but requires heating to survive winter |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Mostly wheat, but even infests rice, maize, and millets; may even feed on bean, copra, cacao, barley, nutmeg, soybean, and cowpea |
The damage caused by these beetles is not immediately apparent. Still, a heavy infestation may cause grains to get heated and spoiled.
Image Source: professionalpestmanager.com, grainscanada.gc.ca, grainscanada.gc.ca, upload.wikimedia.org
The flat grain beetle is a huge pest to grains, mainly wheat, in Canada, though it was initially just a native to Europe. It is commonly found alongcol3 the rice weevil beetle, infesting rice, wheat, and maize. Because of the similarity in color, one could often mistake the reddish-brown flour beetle for the flat grain and vice-versa.
Size: 1.5 to 2.0 mm (0.06-0.078 in)
Color: They have a reddish-brown body.
Other Characteristic Features: As evident from their name, these beetles have a flattened appearance with a ridge-like projection on their head and prothorax, alongcol3 a bead-like antenna.
They are pale white or yellow, with darkened horn-like abdominal projections and head capsules. Like the adults, the larvae also have a flattened and elongated body, with prominent legs.
After 21 days, the larva pupates in a gelatinous cocoon.
The eggs are white, laid in flour grain or crevices. They take about five days to hatch.
| Adult lifespan | 42 days |
| Distribution | Worldwide, mostly Europe, and Canada from Quebec to British Columbia |
| Habitat | Kitchen, cellar, granaries, and in all other places where grains and other food items are stored (especially in high moisture conditions) |
| Seasons active | Year-round; but requires heating to survive winter |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Mostly wheat, but even infests rice, maize, and millets; may even feed on bean, copra, cacao, barley, nutmeg, soybean, and cowpea |
The damage caused by these beetles is not immediately apparent. Still, a heavy infestation may cause grains to get heated and spoiled.
Image Source: professionalpestmanager.com, grainscanada.gc.ca, grainscanada.gc.ca, upload.wikimedia.org
