Rhyzopertha

Rhyzopertha
Scientific classification
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Genus:
Rhyzopertha

Stephens, 1830
Species:
R. dominica
Binomial name
Rhyzopertha dominica
(Fabricius, 1792)
Synonyms
  • Synodendron dominicum Fabricius, 1792
  • Synodendron pusillum Fabricius, 1798
  • Sinodendron dominicum Fabricius, 1801
  • Sinodendron pusillum Fabricius, 1801
  • Rhyzopertha pusilla Stephens, 1830
  • Rhizopertha pusilla Bach, 1852
  • Rhizopertha dominica Lesne, 1896
  • Dinoderus pusillus Horn, 1878
  • Ptinus piceus Marsham, 1802
  • Ptinus fissicornis Marsham, 1802
  • Apate rufa Hope, 1845
  • Apate pusilla Fairmaire, 1850
  • Apate frumentaria Nördlinger, 1855
  • Bostrichus moderatus Walker, 1859
  • Rhizopertha rufa Waterhouse, 1888

Rhyzopertha is a monotypic genus of beetles in the family Bostrichidae, the false powderpost beetles. The sole species, Rhyzopertha dominica, is known commonly as the lesser grain borer, American wheat weevil, Australian wheat weevil, and stored grain borer. It is a beetle commonly found within store bought products and pest of stored cereal grains located worldwide. It is also a major pest of peanuts. The first documentation of wheat infestation by R. dominica was observed in Australia. R. dominica are usually reddish brown to dark brown in coloration, vary in sizes, elongated and cylindrical.