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Depressed Flour Beetle
Image by USDA-ARS-GMPRC Image Database - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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Depressed Flour Beetle larvae
Image by USDA-ARS-GMPRC Image Database - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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INSECT FACTS |
Identification
The Depressed Flour Beetle is a small oblong shaped, reddish-brown beetle. The sides of the front of the head extend backward to conceal the front portion of the eyes. It has fairly short antenna that become slightly wider towards the tips, but without a prominent club shape. The wing covers have rows of fine pits along the length giving it a grooved appearance..
Size
length about 2.5mm
Habitat
usually found in damp and mouldy areas around stored food products
Food
Adult beetles and larvae feed on damaged grain and mouldy grain. It feeds on fine material and often coexists with other beetle pests that break the food down into fine particles. They are a minor pest of stored grain but can be a major pest in yams.
Breeding
The female beetle lays about 650 eggs in her life time. The eggs are sticky and accumulate a covering of particles from the food stuff. The larvae are cylindrical and almost transparent when newly hatched, becoming brown as they mature. The larvae pupate within the food product. The adult beetles live up to 6 months.
Range
The Depressed Flour Beetle occurs in most parts of the world, and is found in warmer parts of eastern Australia.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Coleoptera | | Family: | Tenebrionidae | | Genus: | Palorus | | Species: | subdepressus | | Common Name: | Depressed Flour Beetle |
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