Lesser Grain Borer

The lesser grain borer is named for being the smaller grain borer in its family. These beetles are around 1/8″ long, and dark brown in color. It is a hunchback beetle, with its head difficult to see from the top side. Grain borer larvae are the same size as the adults, white colored, and “C” shaped. These pests can reproduce rapidly under warm conditions. Both adults and larvae chew into whole grains to eat the insides, leaving behind dust and shells. Larvae will bore into grains, and mature inside them during various stages of development. They prefer whole grains, but will infest various other types of processed foods as well. Adult beetles are attracted to light, and good fliers. Their ability to fly can cause infestations to spread more rapidly. Like most other pantry pests, they can chew through all kinds of packaging to get inside. Typically a strong, sweet odor is present coming from the infested product.