Overview
Laemophloeids usually feed on moulds or on the spores and stromata of various other Ascomycetes, but
Cryptolestes ferrugineus
and some related species are important pests of stored grains. [Lefkovitch 1959, 1962.]
Description
Elongate, parallel-sided and usually flattened, glabrous or pubescent beetles with a large, prognathous head, prominent mandibles, antennae which never have a very large or abrupt club and may have a modified scape in the male, a pronotum bearing a pair of longitudinal, submarginal carinae, and elytra which are often carinate.
Larvae narrowly elongate, parallel-sided, flattened and lightly sclerotised, except for head, 8th segment and T9. Head flattened, with moderately long antennae, paired dorsal endocarinae and long, parallel hypostomal rods; mandible with several hyaline processes near base of mesal edge; mala blunt; T9 forming articulated plate, and S9 and segment 10 reduced and concealed within emargination in S8.
Distribution
The Australian fauna includes
Cryptolestes
,
Laemophloeus
,
Placonotus
and
Rhabdophloeus
.