Order: Coleoptera
Family: Bostrichidae

This pest is the smaller of two bostrichid grain borers, hence its common name as "lesser". Bostrichid borers are cylindrical beetles. Their head faces downward and is covered by the neck shield. They are found throughout the United States and Southern Canada.

Description: Adults are approximately 1/8 inch long, oval shaped, and have wings. The Lesser Grain Borer is shiny dark brown to black. Mature larvae are shaped like the letter "C". The larvae are white in color and have a dark head and claws

Biology: Adult females lay up to 30 eggs on a food source. Over their lifetime, an adult female can lay up to 500 eggs. Eggs hatch in a few days and the larvae feed off the food source.

Habits: The Lesser Grain Borer prefers to feed on whole seed products such as corn and wheat. They also attack nuts, beans, tobacco, dried meats and leather goods. Larvae and adults can both penetrate packaging and usually an odor is associated with an infestation. Although they prefer warmer climates with high humidity and are more prevalent in the south, they continue to pose problems in Northern states by staying confined to heated structures.