2016 Virginia Tech 3101-1526 (ENTO-193NP)

DrugstoreBeetlesandCigaretteBeetles

EricDay,DepartmentofEntomology,VirginiaTechDESCRIPTION:Botharesmall reddishbrownbeetles.Bothbeetleshave theirheadspointingdownwardandbackwardtothepointthattheheadisnotalwaysvisible.Theyarebothabout1/10to1/8inch(2-3mm) longandbrown.Thecigarettebeetlehasashinyappearance.Thedrugstorebeetle issimilar to thecigarettebeetleinappearancebutisslightlylarger,moreelongate,andhasdistinctlygroovedwingcovers.Thelastthreesegmentsoftheantennaearelikeasaw.DrugstoreBeetle:Coleoptera:Anobiidae,Stegobiumpaniceum(toppicture).CigaretteBeetle:Coleoptera:Anobiidae,Lasiodermaserricorne (Fabricius) (lowerpicture)FOOD:Bothbeetleshaveaverywidehostrangeandfeedonmanykindsofdriedplantandanimalmaterial, including spices, flour, cereals,dogandcat food, tobacco, leather,wool,meal, seeds, anddried fruits. In addition, theywill check throughnon-foodmaterialsuchaspaperandfabrictogetto a food source. They are said to feed "uponalmostanythingexceptcastiron.”*HABITAT: Anywhere around stored dried foodand spices. These beetles often are found flyinginsidehousesatlightsandwindows.CONTROL: Control of this pantry pest beginswith the location and removal of the infestedfood. A thorough clean up, using a vacuumcleanertogetintothecracksandcrevices,willcontrolthispest.Sealanyremainingdriedfoodsinairtightbags or containers. Infested food can be heat treated at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour to kill thesebeetles.Foodsthataresusceptibletoinfestationcanbestoredinthefreezer.INTERESTINGFACTS: Itspeculiardiet includessuch odd materials as strychnine, rodent baits,and pyrethrum. These beetles do not bite orsting and are not poisonous if accidentallyconsumed.*Biscuits,Bugs,&Broadsides --or --EverythingYouEverWantedtoKnowAboutHardTack(butwereafraidtoask)byMarkHilliard