Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Which beetle's frass is considered "like flour or baby powder"?

1. Ambrosia Beetle

2. Lyctid Beetle

3. Bostrichid Beetle

4. Anobiid Beetle

The correct answer is: Lyctid Beetle

The Lyctid beetle's frass is characterized by a very fine powdery texture, often compared to flour or baby powder. This is primarily because the larvae of Lyctid beetles infest and feed on hardwoods, leaving behind powdery droppings as they bore through the wood. The frass is so fine that it can be easily blown away by air movement, contributing to the comparison with flour or baby powder. In contrast, the frass from other types of beetles, such as Ambrosia, Bostrichid, or Anobiid beetles, tends to be coarser and more granular in nature, reflecting their different feeding habits and the types of materials they infest. Each of these beetles has distinct characteristics that influence the texture and appearance of their frass, making the fine, powdery frass of the Lyctid beetle unique.