Longheaded Flour Beetle
Latheticus oryzae
This record describes Latheticus oryzae (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In our area, a minor pest of stored grain products; much more serious in the tropics
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Tenebrioninae
- Tribe
- Triboliini
- Genus
- Latheticus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Indoors in stored grains and grain products. Adults will fly outside in warm weather and are attracted to lights.
Geographic Range
sw US (s.CA-TX-CO-UT) - Map ; of Asian origin , now worldwide in warm climates; adventive in NA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: stored wheat, rice, maize, barley, rye, and cereal products ( 5 )
Life History
Adults live for up to 112 days; the female can lay up to 300 eggs; eggs sticky, usually hidden by adhering debris; larvae white, moving freely though the grain/flour
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latheticus oryzae Waterhouse 1880
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Latheticus oryzae. 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 Longheaded Flour Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Longheaded Flour Beetle
What is Longheaded Flour Beetle?
Longheaded Flour Beetle (Latheticus oryzae) is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Longheaded Flour Beetle?
2.5-3 mm
Where is Longheaded Flour Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Indoors in stored grains and grain products. Adults will fly outside in warm weather and are attracted to lights. |
| Range | sw US (s.CA-TX-CO-UT) - Map ; of Asian origin , now worldwide in warm climates; adventive in NA |
What does Longheaded Flour Beetle eat?
The diet of the Longheaded Flour Beetle includes stored wheat, rice, maize, barley, rye, and cereal products ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Longheaded Flour Beetle?
Adults live for up to 112 days; the female can lay up to 300 eggs; eggs sticky, usually hidden by adhering debris; larvae white, moving freely though the grain/flour