A slim beetle of 3-4 mm length, of uniform red-brown to black color. Beetles and larvae feed on a very wide variety of dry vegetable substances, such as, milled cereal products. A frequent mill pest; it can also attack undamaged wheat kernels.
Besides grain and grain products it infests foodstuffs and animal feeds of all kinds; also spices and drugs.
Badly infested flour has a sharp odor and turns brown; its baking properties are damaged.
