Larger Grain Borer vs Snail-killing Fly Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Larger Grain Borer Snail-killing Fly Beetle
Scientific Name Prostephanus truncatus Drilus flavescens
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Bostrichidae Drilidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 7-15mm
Habitat Gardens Underground
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Africa, Central America Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Larger Grain Borer

A devastating pest of stored maize and dried cassava in Africa. It can cause grain weight losses exceeding 30% in untreated stores.

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Did You Know?

A predatory beetle, Teretrius nigrescens, was introduced to Africa as a biological control agent against it.

Snail-killing Fly Beetle

A brown beetle with soft elytra where males are winged but females are larviform and never develop wings. It specializes in hunting snails.

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Did You Know?

The larva enters a snails shell and slowly consumes it alive over several days before pupating inside the empty shell.