Slender-horned Flour Beetle
Gnatocerus maxillosus
This record describes Gnatocerus maxillosus (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
male has a small horn on the mandible
Identification notes
male has a small horn on the mandible
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
cereal grains in warehouses ( 3 )
Geographic Range
primarily tropical/subtropical and warm temperate zones worldwide ; origin uncertain, adventive in NA & so.Europe
Diet and Behavior
Diet: infests cereal grains, pumpkins, tamarind seeds, pulses, nutmeg, and peanuts
Life History
115–132 days from egg to adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gnathocerus maxillosus (Fabricius 1810)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Gnatocerus maxillosus. 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 Slender-horned Flour Beetle (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Slender-horned Flour Beetle
What is Slender-horned Flour Beetle?
Slender-horned Flour Beetle (Gnatocerus maxillosus) is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Slender-horned Flour Beetle?
~3 mm
How do you identify Slender-horned Flour Beetle?
male has a small horn on the mandible
Where is Slender-horned Flour Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | cereal grains in warehouses ( 3 ) |
| Range | primarily tropical/subtropical and warm temperate zones worldwide ; origin uncertain, adventive in NA & so.Europe |
What does Slender-horned Flour Beetle eat?
The diet of the Slender-horned Flour Beetle includes infests cereal grains, pumpkins, tamarind seeds, pulses, nutmeg, and peanuts.
What is the life cycle of a Slender-horned Flour Beetle?
115–132 days from egg to adult