American Black Flour Beetle
Tribolium audax
This record describes Tribolium audax (species). Recorded family: Tenebrionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
similar to, and sometimes confused with, T. madens , a sp. of European origin also present in NA
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Tenebrioninae
- Tribe
- Triboliini
- Genus
- Tribolium (Flour Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
associated with wheat flour, barley, grain/grain products, bee nests, and in logs
Geographic Range
transcontinental (BC-QC to UT-SD-OH-VA-FL) ; native to NA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tribolium audax Halstead 1969
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Tribolium audax. 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 American Black Flour Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About American Black Flour Beetle
What is American Black Flour Beetle?
American Black Flour Beetle (Tribolium audax) is a species in the family Tenebrionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is American Black Flour Beetle?
ca. 5 mm
How do you identify American Black Flour Beetle?
similar to, and sometimes confused with, T. madens , a sp. of European origin also present in NA
Where is American Black Flour Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | associated with wheat flour, barley, grain/grain products, bee nests, and in logs |
| Range | transcontinental (BC-QC to UT-SD-OH-VA-FL) ; native to NA |