Red Flour Beetles
Stored-Product Pest—Red Flour Beetle
Size
Red flour beetle adults are about 1/8” (3-4mm) long.
Characteristics
Adult has antennae with abrupt, 3-segmented club. Sides of the thorax are rounded. Wings are functional but commonly flies only short distances. Except for antennal and thorax differences, it is almost identical to the confused flour beetle.
Color
The red flour beetle is a reddish-brown
Where
The red flour beetle is of Indo-Australian origin and now occurs worldwide in the warmer climates. In the United States, it is found primarily in the southern states in homes and grocery stores.
Habitat
The red flour beetle gets its common name from its color and its habit of infesting flour.
Diet
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, and cayenne pepper. They are attracted to flour and high moisture content.
Biology
The red flour beetle female deposits 300-500 clear-white sticky eggs on or among food materials and cracks, in bags, or through the mesh of sacks containing food. The female lays 2-3 eggs per day, but lives for 2-3 years. The eggs hatch in 5-12 days into brownish-white larvae, which go through 5-18 instars (usually 7-8) and reach maturity in about 30 days under optimal conditions. The life cycle (egg to egg) can be completed in only 7 weeks, or it may require 3 months or longer. In heated storage facilities and processing plants, there are 4-5 generations annually.
Damage
Although humans are not injured by it, red flour beetles do impart a disagreeable odor and taste to the flour they infest.
Invasion
Red flour beetles enter structures in boxes and bags of flour from grocery stores.
Detection & Control
1. Inspect incoming items.
2. Supply ventilation.
3. Keep buildings in good physical condition to reduce entry.
4. Quickly remove spilled grain.
5. Keep facility clean, maintain grounds.
6. Store pallets 18 inches away from walls
7. Replace torn package
8. Rotate food and nonfood stock; move out oldest stock first.
9. Identify species correctly.
10. Use light traps and/or electrocuters.
11. Fumigate if appropriate.
12. Use insect pheromone and/or baited monitoring devices.
13. Use only registered pesticides. Read entire label, and follow all directions, heeding restrictions and precautions.