Small-eyed Flour Beetle
Palorus ratzeburgii
This record describes Palorus ratzeburgii (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Tenebrioninae
- Tribe
- Triboliini
- Genus
- Palorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
granaries, bakeries, flour mills, warehouses, but also under bark
Geographic Range
currently cosmopolitan native to Africa ;
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults and larvae feed mainly on damaged and moldy grain, showing a preference for wheat and oat products ; also flour, meal, maize, peanuts, and cassava meal
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Palorus ratzeburgii. 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 Small-eyed Flour Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Small-eyed Flour Beetle
How big is Small-eyed Flour Beetle?
~2.5 mm
Where is Small-eyed Flour Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | granaries, bakeries, flour mills, warehouses, but also under bark |
| Range | currently cosmopolitan native to Africa |
What does Small-eyed Flour Beetle eat?
The diet of the Small-eyed Flour Beetle includes Adults and larvae feed mainly on damaged and moldy grain, showing a preference for wheat and oat products ; also flour, meal, maize, peanuts, and cassava meal.