Bamboo Powderpost Beetle
Dinoderus minutus
This record describes Dinoderus minutus (species). Recorded family: Bostrichidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A pest of bamboo, cane, and sometimes dry stored foods ; dried bamboo usually not attacked
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Bostrichidae (Horned Powder-post Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dinoderinae
- Genus
- Dinoderus (Bamboo Post-powder Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Common in stored bamboo; heated premises in temperate regions ; larvae also feed in drugs, spices, cacao, maize, rice, stored grain, dried food, and flour
Geographic Range
Native to Asia , spread worldwide with commerce; in our area, established in several US states and found in warehouses across Canada
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Bamboo ( 4 )
Life History
<2 months The female bores into bamboo culms at the breaks in the rind then bored a tunnel across the grain. Eggs are deposited in the exposed ends.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dinoderus minutus (Fabricius 1775)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dinoderus minutus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bamboo Powderpost Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Bamboo Powderpost Beetle
What is Bamboo Powderpost Beetle?
Bamboo Powderpost Beetle (Dinoderus minutus) is a species in the family Bostrichidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Bamboo Powderpost Beetle?
2.5–3.5 mm
Where is Bamboo Powderpost Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Common in stored bamboo; heated premises in temperate regions ; larvae also feed in drugs, spices, cacao, maize, rice, stored grain, dried food, and flour |
| Range | Native to Asia , spread worldwide with commerce; in our area, established in several US states and found in warehouses across Canada |
What does Bamboo Powderpost Beetle eat?
The diet of the Bamboo Powderpost Beetle includes Bamboo ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Bamboo Powderpost Beetle?
<2 months The female bores into bamboo culms at the breaks in the rind then bored a tunnel across the grain. Eggs are deposited in the exposed ends.