Plaster beetle

Classification

Secondary pest; fungal feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Latridiidae
Acronym: CCO

Description

• Adults are very small, 1.3 to 2.0 mm long.
• Prothorax is constricted at midpoint and small relative to abdomen.
• Larvae are small, slender, flattened and mobile, no urogomphi are present.

Similar species

• Squarenosed fungus beetle (Lathridius minutus)
• Other Latridiidae, Cryptophagidae

Commodities affected

• As plaster beetles are fungal feeders, they do not directly attack the commodity, but are found associated with: stored grain, cereal products, wheat, oatmeal, flax, flour, buildings, cellars, mouldy cheeses, mouldy plant material and manure heaps.

Signs of infestation

• No specific signs of infestation other than possibly the presence of mould

Damage

• Do not cause direct damage to commodity
• Are an indication of infection with fungi and poor storage conditions
• Do not persist unless commodity remains damp

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is found worldwide
• Is distributed throughout Canada

Life history

• Adults and larvae feed exclusively on fungi.
• Females lay eggs amongst the commodity.