Cowpea Weevil vs South American Darkling Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cowpea Weevil | South American Darkling Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Callosobruchus maculatus | Zophobas morio |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Africa (native), pantropical, cosmopolitan | Brazil, Central America, northern South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cowpea Weevil
A small, reddish-brown to dark beetle with mottled elytra and a prominent pygidium bearing two dark spots. It is one of the most destructive pests of stored cowpeas and other pulses.
Did You Know?
Females glue their eggs directly onto the surface of bean seeds, and the larvae bore into the seed immediately upon hatching.
South American Darkling Beetle
A large shiny black darkling beetle widely distributed across tropical South America. Its larvae, known as superworms, are commonly used as animal feed.
Did You Know?
Its larvae can digest polystyrene plastic thanks to gut bacteria, making them subjects of biodegradation research.