General
Reddish brown beetle between 2mm and 3mm long. The apical angles of the thorax have a single tooth. The antennae have a three segmented club. The larvae is elongate and parallel-sided and pale yellow/cream in colour.

Significan
This species will not succeed on food free from moulds and some nutrient synthesised by fungi is essential to its development. It is mainly a pest of oil seeds and some cereal products. It may occur in large numbers in grain with a high moisture content. Occasionally it is recorded on dried fruit and cocoa beans. Its presence is indicative of damp storage conditions which allow mould growth. Beetles may be found in the open under piles of mouldy grass.

Control
Any infested commodities should be isolated and destroyed or failing this fumigated.
The structure and fittings of the infested area should be treated with a residual insecticide. 

Number of Days Spent as: