Trogoderma primum

Jayne, 1882

Trogoderma primum is a carpet beetle in the Dermestidae. It is known from a limited geographic range in North America, specifically Oklahoma and Texas in the United States, and Veracruz and Chiapas in Mexico. As a member of the Trogoderma, it belongs to a group containing several significant stored product pests, though -specific information on its and economic impact remains limited.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Trogoderma primum: /troʊˈɡoʊdɛrmə ˈprɪməm/

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Identification

Trogoderma primum can be distinguished from other Trogoderma by geographic occurrence in the southern United States and southeastern Mexico. Accurate identification to species level within Trogoderma typically requires examination of microscopic characters of the , pronotum, and elytral pattern. The species lacks the distinctive morphological features that characterize the economically important () or the warehouse beetle (Trogoderma variabile).

Distribution

Known from Oklahoma and Texas in the United States, and from Veracruz and Chiapas in Mexico.

Similar Taxa

  • Trogoderma granariumThe is a major stored grain pest with global significance; T. primum lacks this pest status and has a much more restricted distribution.
  • Trogoderma variabileThe warehouse beetle is a widespread stored product pest in North America; T. primum has a more limited known range and has not been documented as a significant pest.
  • Trogoderma glabrumThe glabrous cabinet beetle is known for its remarkable developmental plasticity including reversed molting under starvation; no such has been documented for T. primum.

More Details

Taxonomic Context

Trogoderma primum belongs to a that was revised taxonomically in 2022. Molecular and morphological analysis revealed that the genus Trogoderma as previously defined was polyphyletic, with Southern Hemisphere now placed in the genus Eurhopalus. T. primum remains in the Northern Hemisphere genus Trogoderma.

Sources and further reading