Minthea

Pascoe, 1863

tropical powderpost beetles

Species Guides

Minthea obsita
Minthea reticulata
Minthea rugicollis(hairy powderpost beetle)

Minthea is a of tropical powderpost beetles in the Bostrichidae, established by Pascoe in 1863. The genus comprises approximately eight described distributed in tropical regions. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles that infest dry wood, contributing to their classification as powderpost beetles alongside related genera in the Lyctinae.

Minthea obsita by Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Minthea rugicollis1 by Ken Walker, Museum Victoria. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Minthea rugicollis by Wisut Sittichaya, Roger A. Beaver, Lan-Yu Liu, Aran Ngampongsai. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Minthea: /ˈmɪnθiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Tropical regions. Distribution records indicate presence in Norway (NO) and Sweden (SE), though these likely represent intercepted specimens or established in imported wood products rather than native range. Native distribution is tropical.

Human Relevance

As powderpost beetles, members of this are recognized as pests of dry wood products. The hairy powderpost (Minthea rugicollis) is specifically noted as a pest . occur in seasoned wood and wood products, causing damage through larval tunneling and production.

Similar Taxa

LyctusBoth are of powderpost beetles in the Lyctinae. Lyctus is more widespread and commonly encountered in temperate regions, while Minthea is restricted to tropical areas. Distinguishing features require examination of antennal club structure and pronotal characteristics.
TrogoxylonAnother in Lyctinae with similar wood-boring habits. Trogoxylon generally have different pronotal shapes and antennal proportions compared to Minthea.

More Details

Taxonomic history

The was established by Francis Pascoe in 1863. The type is Minthea squamigera Pascoe, 1866. The genus is placed in the tribe Lyctini within the Lyctinae of Bostrichidae.

Species diversity

Eight are currently recognized: M. acanthacollis, M. apicata, M. bivestita, M. humericosta, M. obsita, M. reticulata, M. rugicollis, and M. squamigera. Minthea rugicollis is commonly known as the hairy powderpost .