Drugstore Beetle

Drugstore Beetle Scientific Name: Stegobium paniceum

Drugstore Beetle Facts

The Drugstore beetle appears “hump-backed,” is about 1/8 inch long, oval-shaped, and is various shades of brown. Often confused with the Cigarette beetle, one key difference is that the Drugstore beetle has longitudinal grooves on its wing covers (elytra). Hairs on the body are less abundant and pronounced, again distinguishing it from the Cigarette beetle. The antennae of the Drugstore beetle end in three club-like segments.

Drugstore Beetle Habitat and Food Source

The Drugstore beetle has a wide range, but is most likely to be found in warm climates.  The Drugstore beetle is most likely to be found indoors where temperatures are warm and food sources are plentiful. A favorite habitat is the drugstore where this beetle may forage dried foods, sweets, spices, books, leather, and even prescription drugs. Feeding of the larvae has been known to do the most damage, but all Drugstore beetles will feed on stored food products.

Drugstore Beetle Life Cycle

Female Drugstore beetles lay eggs, normally about 75 at a time, on a food product. Larvae tunnel through the product, munching as they go. Larvae and pupae stages last about 23 weeks and the adult female will live 65 days. Drugstore beetles are more reproductively successful at warm temperatures.

Drugstore Beetles and Humans

The Drugstore beetle will infest many types of food products. Although it is named for its foraging of drugstore products, it may also rummage through and feed on beans, dried fruits and vegetables, flour, herbs, nuts, and sweets. These beetles will therefore commonly be found indoors and does large amounts of damage to stored food products.