About Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Oryzaephilus surinamensis, the sawtoothed grain beetle, is a slender dark brown beetle that measures 2.4 to 3 mm in length. It has a distinct row of tooth-like projections along the sides of its prothorax. This species is nearly indistinguishable from the closely related Merchant Grain Beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator. Key differences include O. surinamensis’s smaller eyes, broader more triangular head, and its inability to fly, unlike O. mercator. O. surinamensis is distributed globally. It is one of the most frequently encountered pests of stored products, and is widespread across the food industry. It can be found in food manufacturing, storage, and retail facilities, as well as in home pantries. While it is less common in colder climates such as Canada and the northern United States, it is sufficiently cold-hardy to remain one of the most common grain-feeding insects on Canadian farms.
