Insect · GBIF taxon 1095751
Smooth Spider Beetle
Gibbium aequinoctialeAlso known as Shiny Spider Beetle
Smooth spider beetles resemble shiny, drop-like amber beads tucked into dark crevices. These flightless scavengers possess completely fused, smooth elytra and long legs that give them a strikingly spider-like silhouette. They feed on a vast array of dry organic material, from stored grains and spices to museum specimens, thriving in quiet, undisturbed indoor spaces.
NocturnalIndoor SpeciesScavenger
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Stored grains
- Dried fruit
- Animal specimens
Predators
- House centipedes
- Spiders
- Predatory mites
ThreatsPest control measures, deep freezing, clean sanitation
HabitatsPantries, granaries, warehouses, old buildings, bird nests
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyPtinidae
- GenusGibbium
- SpeciesGibbium aequinoctiale
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Pantry Inspection: Look in dark corners of pantries, granaries, or dried food storage.
- Macro Observation: Use a magnifying lens to admire their glass-like, rounded abdominal shell.
- Gentle Handling: Move carefully, as these harmless insects are slow and easily crushed.
Close Relative (c) Udo Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Walker, K. (2007) . Updated on 8/30/2011 4:45:44 PM, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Janet Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableFamily Member
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.