This beetle has straight, in-row pits on the elytra. Which beetle is described?

• A. Carpet beetle
• B. Weevil
• C. Lady beetle
• D. Drugstore beetle

Answer: (D)

The characteristic feature being tested is the pattern on the beetle’s wing covers (elytra) and how that pattern helps identify stored-product pests. Straight, evenly spaced pits arranged in rows along the elytra point to a small, dull brown beetle known for infesting stored foods. Among common pests, this exact rowed, punctate elytral pattern is typical of the drugstore beetle.

Carpet beetles have elytra that are patterned with scales forming mottled or spotted looks rather than orderly pits. Weevils are distinguished by their long snout and often have ridged or grooved elytra but not the neat in-row punctures described. Lady beetles are usually rounder and display bright color patterns with spots rather than a lined, pitted texture on the elytra. So the described features best match the drugstore beetle, a well-known stored-product pest.