Maize Weevil vs Banded Desert Darkling Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maize Weevil Banded Desert Darkling Beetle
Scientific Name Sitophilus zeamais Cryptoglossa muricata
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Tenebrionidae
Size 2-4mm 14-20 mm
Habitat Indoors Deserts & Drylands
Diet Seed Feeders Detritivores
Regions Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Oceania North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Maize Weevil

A small dark brown weevil with four reddish spots on its elytra. It is one of the most destructive stored grain pests worldwide.

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Did You Know?

A single female can lay over 400 eggs in grain kernels and infestations can destroy entire harvests in storage.

Banded Desert Darkling Beetle

A rough-textured desert beetle covered in tiny bumps that give it a warty appearance. It shelters under rocks and debris during the hottest hours.

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Did You Know?

Its rough exoskeleton texture helps collect tiny amounts of moisture from desert fog.