Adult : Small, brown, flattened body, with six saw-toothed projections on each side of the middle body, about 2-3mm long. Larvae : yellowish-white tapering body with brown head, 2-3mm long.

Eggs (45-285) laid in foodstuff. Entire life cycle takes 3-4 weeks.

A common stored food pest throughout the world; found in stores, warehouses and grain storage areas. It readily penetrates packaged cereals, dried fruits and candies and attacks flour, meal, sugar, drugs, dried meat, and tobacco.