Oryzaephilus mercator

Description

Oryzaephilus mercator, or the merchant grain beetle, is a small, flattened beetle about 2.5mm in length. It is a common, worldwide pest of grain and grain products as well as fruit, chocolate, drugs, and tobacco. The biology of O. mercator is nearly identical with Oryzaephilus surinamensis (The Sawtooth Grain Beetle). It can be differentiated from O. surinamensis by its larger eyes and by the shape of the head, the area just behind the eyes of O. mercator is narrower than that of O. surinamensis which has a more triangular shaped head. Unlike O. surinamensis, adults are capable of flight.