Drugstore beetle

Classification

Secondary pest; Grain feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Anobiidae
Acronym: SPA

Description

• Adults are oval and 2.5 to 3.0 mm long.
• Adults are reddish brown.
• Adults can be distinguished from the cigarette beetle by the presence of a 3 segmented club on the antennae and the presence of striated elytra. The elytra are covered in fine hairs.
• Adults are short-lived and feed little, if at all.
• Adults are able to fly.
• Larvae are white and covered in numerous hairs.

Similar species

• Cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne)

Commodities affected

• Spices, chocolate, seeds, flour, leather, feather pillows, dog food
• Grain and cereal products

Signs of infestation

• Contamination with larval cocoons
• Damage by adults and larvae to food and packaging caused by holes associated with pupation
• Contamination with larval cocoons, frass (excrement), dead adult beetles

Damage

• Larvae cause direct damage to the commodity by feeding on it.
• Larvae burrow into the food to pupate, causing irregular holes.
• Adults chew holes in commodity packaging when emerging from pupa.

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is distributed worldwide, more often found in temperate climates
• Occurs throughout Canada and can survive winter in unheated structures

Where found

• May be found in dwellings, stores, bakeries, libraries, ships, mills, warehouses
• Is a general feeder that attacks nearly all dry plant and animal material
• Prefers vegetable matter that is rich in starch
• Is of minor importance in stored grain situations
• Is occasionally found in bee hives, feeding on pollen

Life history

• Adult beetles run quickly and fly well.
• Females lay eggs singly in crevices in the foodstuff.
• Larvae are internal feeders and are mobile initially, becoming immobile as they mature, reaching a length of 3 to 4 mm.