General
An oval-shaped beetle, approximately 6mm-10mm long with short and clubbed antennae. The colour is black with patches of white hairs on the sides of the thorax and underside of the body. The larvae have six legs and a pair of curved projections, urogomphi, on the penultimate abdominal segment. They are hairy and sometimes known as ‘woolly bears’.  

Significance
Hides, dried meats and fish, cheese, bones and dog biscuits are often attacked. They may be found on clothing and textiles particularly soiled with animal matter. Dead birds or rodents may also be a source of infestation.  Larvae bore into non-food material to pupate – timber and mortar may be damaged. Contact with the larval hairs may cause skin irritation.  May be pests of intensive poultry units.

Control
Any infested commodities should be isolated and destroyed or failing this fumigated.
The structure and fittings of the infested area should be treated with a residual insecticide. Search should be made for dead rodents or birds which may be harbouring the infestation.

At 23°C number of days spent as: