Squarenosed fungus beetle
Scientific name
Latridius minutus (L.)
Classification
Secondary pest; fungal feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Latridiidae
Acronym: LMI
Description
- Adults are small, 1.2 to 2.0 mm long, and have sculptured prothorax and elytra.
- Head and prothorax are much narrower than the elytra giving a pear-shaped appearance.
- Antennae are clubbed.
- Larvae are elongate, pale to yellowish in colour with a distinct head capsule and urogomphi are present.
- Is also known as the minute scavenger beetle.
Images
Similar species
- Silken fungus beetle (Cryptophagus varus)
- Other Cryptophagidae
- Plaster beetle (Cartodere constricta)
Commodities affected
- Does not feed on commodity itself
Signs of infestation
- Presence of moist grain, fungi
Damage
- Adults and larvae do not feed on stored product but rather feed on associated mould growth
- Presence is an indication of poor storage conditions
How to control
Geographic range
- Is distributed worldwide and across Canada
Where found
- Is found in association with stored grain, cereal products, wheat, oatmeal, flax, flour, mouldy cheese, mouldy plant materials, manure heaps, in buildings and cellars.
Life history
- Females lay eggs amongst the commodity.
- Larvae are active and move freely amongst the commodity.
- Neither larvae nor adults feed on grain; they feed only on fungal spores and hyphae of moulds.
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