Hairy fungus beetle
Typhaea stercorea (Linnaeus)

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Mycetophagidae
Acronym: TST

Ecology

The hairy fungus beetle is found worldwide. In Canada it is distributed widely from coast to coast. It feeds on damaged grain and is associated with mould. It is a minor pest found in a range of products of vegetable origin. It is among the most common fungus beetle pests in Canada.

The hairy fungus beetle typically occurs in moldy food products and other organic materials, like newly harvested or damp grain. It is found in warehouses, stores, flour mill, feed mills and granaries. It infests stored grain, seeds, tobacco and nuts. It can be found in ripening crops before harvest, such as hay and cereal grains. It has also been found in cornfields and thought to be attracted to decaying ears of corn.

Damage

The hairy fungus beetle is a generalist feeder. The damage is not distinctive and is caused by both adult and larva feeding. Their presence in stored grain indicates poor storage conditions.

Life history

The adult is uniformly light brown. It is oval and slightly flattened. It is 2 – 3 mm long. It is covered in hairs, arranged in parallel lines on the elytra. The antennae have a 3 segmented club. The head is visible when viewed from above. The adult is long lived and can fly.

The female lays her eggs randomly in a food source or attaches them to grains.

The hairy fungus beetle larva is flat, pale and translucent. It is 4 – 4.5 mm long. It has a pair of dark, upwardly curved urogomphi. The urogomphi are separated at their base. The larva is active and moves through the commodity. Development time may range from 21-33 days from egg to adult when the temperature is at 25°C and relative humidity is between 80-90%.

Control

Controlling insect infestations

Images

Adult: Hairy fungus beetle