California Web Spinner vs Red Flour Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute California Web Spinner Red Flour Beetle
Scientific Name Oligotoma moestum Tribolium castaneum
Order Embioptera Coleoptera
Family Oligotomidae Tenebrionidae
Size 7.0-10.0 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Wood Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions North America, Asia Worldwide
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

California Web Spinner

A small introduced web spinner now established in California and other warm parts of the United States. It is commonly found in gardens and around buildings.

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Did You Know?

This species was accidentally introduced to the Americas and is now one of the few web spinners most North Americans ever encounter.

Red Flour Beetle

A small, reddish-brown beetle that is one of the most important stored-grain pests worldwide. It is also a key model organism in genetics.

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Did You Know?

It was the first beetle to have its entire genome sequenced, advancing insect genomics.