Lesser Grain Borer vs Klamath Weed Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Grain Borer | Klamath Weed Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhyzopertha dominica | Chrysolina quadrigemina |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Bostrichidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Grasslands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Worldwide tropical and subtropical regions | Europe (native), introduced to North America, Australia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Lesser Grain Borer
A cylindrical dark brown beetle that bores into whole grain kernels, reducing them to powder. It is especially destructive in warm tropical grain stores.
Did You Know?
It produces a distinctive sweet, musty odor that can taint infested grain.
Klamath Weed Beetle
A dark bronze to coppery-brown beetle with a convex, heavily punctured body. It was introduced to control the invasive Klamath weed (St. John's wort) and became a classic biocontrol success story.
Did You Know?
Its introduction to California in the 1940s reduced Klamath weed infestations by over 99%, saving millions of acres of rangeland.