Drugstore Beetle vs Confused Flour Beetle
Drugstore Beetles and confused flour beetles are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A drugstore beetle has oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves, while a confused flour beetle has flat, elongated reddish-brown body.
Side-by-side comparison
| Drugstore Beetle | Confused Flour Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Beetles | Beetles |
| Scientific name | Stegobium paniceum | Tribolium confusum |
| Size | 2–3.5 mm | 3–4 mm |
| Colors | Brown and Red | Brown and Red |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | No | No |
| Risk | Nuisance | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves | Flat, elongated reddish-brown body |
Key differences
- Signature feature: Drugstore Beetles: oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves. Confused Flour Beetles: flat, elongated reddish-brown body.
How to identify drugstore beetles
A small, reddish-brown pantry beetle with rows of fine grooves along its wing covers. It infests dried foods, spices, pet food, and even books and medicines.
- Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves
- Head tucked down and hidden when seen from above
- Antennae end in a loose three-segment club
How to identify confused flour beetles
A flat, slender, reddish-brown beetle common in flour, cake mixes, cereals and other milled foods. Heavy infestations leave a grayish tint and a sharp, unpleasant smell.
- Flat, elongated reddish-brown body
- Antennae that thicken gradually toward the tip
- Found in flour and powdery foods rather than whole grains
Which one is more dangerous?
Neither is more dangerous than the other; both are rated nuisance on our scale.
Drugstore beetles don't bite or spread disease, but they ruin stored food. They don't bite or sting; infested flour tastes and smells bad.
Where and when you'll see each
Drugstore Beetles turn up in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen, mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter. Confused Flour Beetles turn up in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen, mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter.
Because they share habitat, you may find both in the same place, so check each individual.
What to do if you find one
Drugstore Beetles: Find and throw out the infested package, then check every dry good nearby. Read the full removal guide for more.
Confused Flour Beetles: Discard infested flour and mixes in a sealed outdoor bin. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: beetles
Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between drugstore beetles and confused flour beetles?
Signature feature: Drugstore Beetles: oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves. Confused Flour Beetles: flat, elongated reddish-brown body.
Which is bigger, a drugstore beetle or a confused flour beetle?
Drugstore Beetle: 2–3.5 mm. Confused Flour Beetle: 3–4 mm.
Do drugstore beetles or confused flour beetles bite?
Drugstore Beetles do not bite. Confused Flour Beetles do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Drugstore Beetles: in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen. Confused Flour Beetles: in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen.