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Larder Beetle - Dermestes Lardarious

The larder beetle is one of a group of insects commonly known as Dermestid Beetles.

Size: Size can reach up to ½ inch

Color: Brown or black

Description

The larder beetle is a small, very dark-colored beetle with a whitish band across the fore-part of the wing cases (elytra).

This beetle is a member of the carpet beetle family Dermestidae; however, the larder beetle, Dermestes lardarius can feed on a great variety of materials-not just carpets. They will feed on any stored animal or plant products, such as leather, insect, bird, and mammal specimens, cured meats, cheese, tobacco, dried fish meal, and a few things we can't even mention!

Habitat

The larder beetle is often found in houses-and not just in the larder! (the kitchen). Also found in food prosessing plants and restaurants.

Life Cycle

Outdoors the life cycle of this insect is regulated by the seasons; indoors it may breed continuously throughout the year. The total number of eggs laid various from 200 to 800 and hatch in 3 to 9 days. The larvae are dark colored and covered with dark brown hairs. The larvae pass through five or six stages during the 35 to 80 days of their lives. The larvae have a strong tendency to remain in dark places. Just before the larvae pupate they begin to migrate, and are often encountered by homeowners at this time. These older larvae often bore into materials such as wood, cork, or insulation looking for a place to pupate. The pupa period lasts about 15 days. The adults mate soon after emerging and eggs are laid near a food source.

The whole life cycle takes place in 2 to 3 months and the adult beetles may live up to 3 months.

The adults often hibernate in unheated premises.

 Type of Damage

Attack animal furs, feathers and feed of meat scraps found behind and beneath units in meat processing plants, butchers, fishmongers, delicatessen counters in supermarkets and, of course, beneath and behind cookers and refrigerators in the kitchen. Also they eat cheese and tobacco.

They are particularly important pests of museums, where collections of stuffed animals can be destroyed.

Control

Dermestid beetles fly and most are attracted to ultra violet light emitted by electric fly killers.

In the case of the museums fumigation should be considered.