Cryptolestes

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Laemophloeidae
Genus: Cryptolestes

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cryptolestes: /ˌkrɪptəˈlestes/

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

Images

Cryptolestes.ferrugineus.-.calwer.15.12 by Emil Hochdanz
. Used under a Public domain license.

Cryptolestes ferrugineus by Pia Scanlon, DAFWA. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Cryptolestes ferrugineus1 by Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Laemophloeus ferruginous Jacobson by Georgiy Jacobson. Used under a Public domain license.

Cryptolestes pusillus by Pia Scanlon DAFWA. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Cryptolestes pusillus (Schoenherr, 1817) (10959317805) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Summary

Cryptolestes is a genus of beetles in the family Laemophloeidae that contains several notable pests of stored products. Identification often requires close examination of genitalia, as many species are morphologically similar.

Physical Characteristics

Species in the genus Cryptolestes are small beetles that can be difficult to distinguish without close examination, particularly of the genitalia.

Identification Tips

Examine genitalia of either sex for definitive species identification. Cryptolestes species are often confused with superficially similar species of the genus Leptophloeus.

Habitat

These beetles are commonly found in grains and stored food products.

Distribution

Primarily located in the eastern United States and widespread in various regions globally, particularly where stored products are present.

Diet

Several species are pests of stored products, especially food grains.

Life Cycle

Life cycle information is not provided in the data.

Reproduction

Detailed reproductive information is not available.

Predators

Predator information is not provided.

Conservation Status

Not applicable as these species are generally considered pests rather than subject to conservation status evaluations.

Ecosystem Role

As pests of stored products, they can significantly impact food resources and storage systems.

Economic Impact

Species like Cryptolestes ferrugineus and Cryptolestes pusillus are economically important as they are pests of stored grain products.

Collecting Methods

Hand collection from infested materials
Trapping using pheromone traps

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation
Pinning specimens between mounting cards

Similar Taxa

Leptophloeus

Misconceptions

There may be confusion with similar-looking species of other genera, particularly Leptophloeus species.