Broad-horned Flour Beetle
Gnatocerus cornutus
This record describes Gnatocerus cornutus (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
male has broad horns on mandibles minor pest of cereal and animal products , usually associated with infestations of moths ; earliest NA record: ca.1670
Identification notes
male has broad horns on mandibles
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Diaperinae
- Tribe
- Diaperini
- Genus
- Gnatocerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mainly in flour mills and warehouses (able to survive winter conditions only in heated buildings) ( 4 )
Geographic Range
native to the Old World (according to , to the Neotropics), spread through commerce and currently cosmopolitan
Diet and Behavior
Diet: cereal and animal products; larvae will feed on the eggs and injured adults, larvae, and pupae of the Mediterranean flour moth ( Anagasta kuehniella )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gnatocerus cornutus (Fabricius 1798)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Gnatocerus cornutus. 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 Broad-horned Flour Beetle (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-horned Flour Beetle
What is Broad-horned Flour Beetle?
Broad-horned Flour Beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus) is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Broad-horned Flour Beetle?
~4 mm
How do you identify Broad-horned Flour Beetle?
male has broad horns on mandibles
Where is Broad-horned Flour Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mainly in flour mills and warehouses (able to survive winter conditions only in heated buildings) ( 4 ) |
| Range | native to the Old World (according to , to the Neotropics), spread through commerce and currently cosmopolitan |
What does Broad-horned Flour Beetle eat?
The diet of the Broad-horned Flour Beetle includes cereal and animal products; larvae will feed on the eggs and injured adults, larvae, and pupae of the Mediterranean flour moth ( Anagasta kuehniella ).