Silken fungus beetles Atomaria

Classification

Secondary pest; Fungus feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cryptophagidae
Acronym: CRY

Description

• Adults are small (2 to 3 mm long), oval shaped and flattened.
• Adults are light to dark brown and have fine hairs on the pronotum and elytra.
• Antennae have antennal insertions close together and are located on the frons, a characteristic useful for distinguishing from other species of Cryptophagidae.
• Larvae are cylindrical, flattened and yellow brown in colour.
• Larvae are active with the head, thoracic legs and urogomphi clearly visible.

Similar species

• Spotted hairy fungus beetle (Mycetophagus quadriguttatus)
• Hairy fungus beetle (Typhaea stercorea)
• Other silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagus species)

Commodities affected

• Does not feed on commodity, but rather on associated fungi
• May infest cereal grains, wheat, barley, oats, bran, rice, flour, bread, dried fruit, mouldy plant and animal materials

Signs of infestation

• Mouldy, damp grain is often indicative of the presence of the beetles rather than the other way around

Damage

• Both adults and larvae feed on fungal spores and hyphae and do not cause direct damage to the commodity.
• Adults are capable of transmitting fungal spores and may promote excessive mold growth in storage.

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is found across Canada
• Is one group of silken fungus beetles found across Canada

Where found

• Does not directly damage crop, but feeds on associated fungi indicating poor storage conditions
• Is found in granaries, warehouses, mills, cellars, houses

Life history

• Adults are long-lived and can fly.
• Females lay eggs singly on or among the fungal hyphae.