INTRODUCTION. The drugstore beetle apparently got its common name because of its being a serious pest of stored herbs used as medicine in early apothecaries or drug stores.  Its distribution is worldwide.

RECOGNITION. Adults about 1/16-1/8in (2-3.5 mm) long.  Color reddish brown to brown.  Antennae clubbed, club of 3 elongated and broadened segments.  Punctures or pits on elytra (wing covers) arranged in longitudinal rows.  As typical of anobiids, head and prothorax bent downward, making head barely or not visible from above and giving beetle a strongly humped appearance.

     Mature larva about 1/16-1/8in (2-3 mm) long.  Form C-shaped, with thoracic and abdominal segments abaout same width.  Color white, with many short hairs.  With well-developed 4-segmented legs.  Cigarette beetle larvae have the same description.

HABITS. The drugstore beetle attacks a host of items that inlcude any household food and spice, as well as such things as drugs, hair, horn, leather, and museum specimens.  Most commonly attached are bread, flour, meal, breakfast foods, and condiments such as red pepper.  It is also a pest of books and manuscripts.

     Adults can fly and they are attracted to light.

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