Species Gibbium aequinoctiale - Smooth Spider Beetle

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Unidentified Insect - Gibbium aequinoctiale

What is this bug? - Gibbium aequinoctiale

Spider Beetle_MG_8403 - Gibbium aequinoctiale

smooth spider beetle? - Gibbium aequinoctiale

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Bostrichoidea (Carpet, Powder-post and Death-watch Beetles)

Family Anobiidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)

Subfamily Ptininae (Spider Beetles)

Genus Gibbium

Species aequinoctiale (Smooth Spider Beetle)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

References to Gibbium psylloides outside the Old World are most likely to this species

Size

3-4 mm

Identification

Elytra fused and inflated, completely glabrous (smooth). Can only be confused with Mezium, but pronotum distinctive.

Because of the subspherical body and lack of visible wings, is often confused with ticks/mites

Range

Cosmopolitan but more common in subtropical and tropical regions(1)

Habitat

Mainly houses, flour mills, occasionally warehouses, hospitals, stores(1)

Food

wide variety of dead organic materials; may be a dry stored product pest

Remarks

has a remarkable ability to avoid drying out and can withstand temperatures as high as 56°C (133°F) (Yoder et al. 2009)

Internet References

Fact sheet

Works Cited

1.	Beetles associated with stored products in Canada: An identification guide By Yves Bousquet

Contributed by Jim McClarin on 4 June, 2006 - 7:52pm
Additional contributions by Lynette, Chuck Entz, Boris Bueche, v belov
Last updated 17 May, 2011 - 9:10am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2012 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version