Dusty Barklouse vs Pitted Ambrosia Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dusty Barklouse Pitted Ambrosia Beetle
Scientific Name Lachesilla pedicularia Cnesinus strigicollis
Order Psocoptera Coleoptera
Family Lachesillidae Curculionidae
Size 1-1.5 mm 2-3mm
Habitat Indoors Gardens
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Worldwide North America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dusty Barklouse

A tiny psocid commonly found in old books, herbaria, and grain stores. It thrives in dusty undisturbed environments.

💡

Did You Know?

It is a major pest in natural history museum collections worldwide.

Pitted Ambrosia Beetle

A tiny dark brown bark beetle that cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. It introduces ambrosia fungi into the wood which it and its larvae eat.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of many beetle species that practice true agriculture cultivating fungal crops inside tree tunnels for food.