Merchant Grain Beetle
Oryzaephilus mercator
This record describes Oryzaephilus mercator (species). Recorded family: Silvanidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
see The two Oryazephilus common in the US can be distinguished by a projection or bump just behind the eye. In O. surinamensis , this area is broad and blunt, and in mercator it is narrow and more protruding. Left: O. surinamensis , right: O. mercator .
Wikipedia reference for Oryzaephilus mercator: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryzaephilus_mercator.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Cucujoidea
- Family
- Silvanidae (Silvanid Flat Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Silvaninae
- Genus
- Oryzaephilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
a common household pest , in Canada found more frequently in apartments and other multiple dwellings than in houses
Geographic Range
cosmopolitan; adventive in NA - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) , of tropical origin ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults and larvae feed primarily on cereal products, particularly oatmeal, bran, shelled sunflower seeds, rolled oats, and brown rice ( 3 ) ; usually associated with oilseeds and less with cereal grains and in most regions damages processed cereals, especially those with high oil content; also feeds on seed-borne fungi ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel 1889)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Oryzaephilus mercator. 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 Merchant Grain Beetle (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov , James Bailey
Frequently Asked Questions About Merchant Grain Beetle
What is Merchant Grain Beetle?
Merchant Grain Beetle (Oryzaephilus mercator) is a species in the family Silvanidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Merchant Grain Beetle?
see The two Oryazephilus common in the US can be distinguished by a projection or bump just behind the eye. In O. surinamensis , this area is broad and blunt, and in mercator it is narrow and more protruding. Left: O. surinamensis , right: O. mercator .
Where is Merchant Grain Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | a common household pest , in Canada found more frequently in apartments and other multiple dwellings than in houses |
| Range | cosmopolitan; adventive in NA - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) , of tropical origin ( 5 ) |
What does Merchant Grain Beetle eat?
The diet of the Merchant Grain Beetle includes Adults and larvae feed primarily on cereal products, particularly oatmeal, bran, shelled sunflower seeds, rolled oats, and brown rice ( 3 ) ; usually associated with oilseeds and less with cereal grains and in most regions damages processed cereals, especially those with high oil content; also feeds on seed-borne fungi ( 6 ).