Grain Beetle

The foreign grain beetle is a rather small beetle, approximately 2 mm (1⁄12 in) in length. This beetle can be distinguished chiefly by slight projections or knobs on each front corner of the pronotum, and its club-shaped antennae. The larvae are worm-like, cream-colored and often reach a length of 3 mm before pupating into darker adults. Males and females are identical in appearance both as larvae and adults. Adults are a reddish brownish color (occasionally black). They are very similar to the saw-toothed grain beetle, but lack the "sawtoothed" projections on the pronotum. These small beetles are strong fliers, and are often confused with fruit flies or gnats. However, these beetles are hard shelled, and lack clear wings. Some people can mistake them for fleas or lice, but neither of those insects can fly.