khapra beetle

noun

khap·​ra beetle ˈka-prə- How to pronounce khapra beetle (audio) ˈkä- How to pronounce khapra beetle (audio)
: a dermestid beetle (Trogoderma granarium) that is native to the Indian subcontinent and is now a serious pest of stored grain in most parts of the world

Examples of khapra beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On the other side of the building, agricultural products are taken out of smaller but heavier containers and checked for pests, like the khapra beetle, that could wreak havoc on grain stores. Brooks Johnson, Star Tribune, 8 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu khaprā, literally, destroyer

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of khapra beetle was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near khapra beetle

Cite this Entry

“Khapra beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/khapra%20beetle. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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