General
Adult beetle length is 2mm-3mm. They are reddish brown oval beetles with a dense covering of yellowish hairs. The head is hidden under the hood-like prothorax. They are easily mistaken for the common furniture beetle or the cigarette beetle. The larvae are active initially but become fat, sluggish and eventually incapable of movement.

Significance
These beetles will attack a wide range of stored products, including dried vegetables, spices, chocolate, cereals, drugs and even dried flowers. They are commonly found in association with birds’ nests. They are capable of chewing into fairly hard materials and might spread into the fabric of a building, behind polystyrene tiles etc.

Control
Infested food stuffs should be destroyed and the infested areas of the building should be treated using a residual insecticide.

Number of days spent as: