The genus is characterised by the clypeus narrowing into a long and pointed tip (a "snout").

The male has the outer claw of the mid leg unforked.

The larvae are white and curled (also known as whitegrubs) as in other scarabs living under the ground and feeding on roots of various plants.

[1] Rhinyptia infuscata has been recorded as a locally important pest on pearl millet flowers in Niger.

As it is a nocturnal beetle, farmers in Niger often fight the species using fires set at night.