Drugstore Beetle (Stegobium paniceum)
Biology: The rust-red to brown drugstore beetle grows to a length of 2 to 4 mm. Its wing cases are covered with fine hairs and strips of dots. The head is covered by the neck plate. This beetle flies well, but does not feed in the adult stage. The white larvae live in the nutrient substrate, where they build cocoons in which they moult and pupate. The drugstore beetle is among the commonest pests in households, pharmacies and drugstores.
Damage: The damage results from larval feeding. Affected products are contaminated and their appearance is ruined by the feeding and emergence holes. The larvae are not very particular and are found in baked goods, pasta, grain and grain products, herbal drugs, cocoa and many other products as well as in leather, bookbinding, etc. They also bite through packaging materials such as paper, cardboard, etc.