Red Flour Beetle vs Tobacco Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Flour Beetle Tobacco Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Tribolium castaneum Epitrix hirtipennis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Chrysomelidae
Size 3-4 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Herbivores
Regions Worldwide North America, Central America
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Red Flour Beetle

A small, reddish-brown beetle that is one of the most important stored-grain pests worldwide. It is also a key model organism in genetics.

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Did You Know?

It was the first beetle to have its entire genome sequenced, advancing insect genomics.

Tobacco Flea Beetle

A tiny brownish beetle that creates small round holes in tobacco and other solanaceous crop leaves. Larval feeding on roots further weakens plants.

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Did You Know?

Its feeding holes reduce the quality and market value of tobacco wrapper leaves used for cigars.