Confused Flour Beetle

The Confused Flour Beetle apparently got its common name because of the confusion regarding its identity. It is one of the most important pests of stored products found in the home and in grocery stores. Although of African origin, it now occurs worldwide in cooler climates. In the United States, it is more abundant in the Northern states.

Recognition

Adults are about 1/8 inch long, reddish brown in color. Antennae are gradually clublike, club four-segmented. Sides of thorax are almost straight, at least much more so than curved sides of red flour beetle. Adults with wings, but never observed flying. Except for antennal and thorax difference, almost identical to red flour beetle.

Full-grown larva about 1/8-1/4 inch long. Hard-bodied, cylindrical, wiry in appearance. Color white but tinged yellowish. Distinguishable from larvae of somewhat similar appearance by the darken prominent, two-pronged non-movable and unsegmented termination of last body segment; this same distinction is true for red flour beetles.

Habits

These beetles are unable to feed on whole kernels or undamaged grain. They have been recorded attacking grains and grain products, peas, beans, shelled nuts, dried fruits, spices, milk chocolate, drugs, snuff, cayenne pepper, and herbarium, insect and other museum specimens. They have been found to infest poisoned baits.

They are attracted to light even though they apparently do not fly.