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Common fabric beetle species
Knowing about the lifecycle and habits of different fabric beetle species can help to identify the most effective control methods.
Leather Beetle/Hide Beetle
(Dermestes maculatus)
Appearance
- Adult is 6–10 mm in length.
- Black and dull in colour with white underside.
- Larva is 3–9 mm in length with orange stripe running down its back.
Lifecycle
- Female lays up to 800 eggs.
- Lifecycle is 2–3 months.
Habits
- Pupates in solid material such as wood.
- Feeds on various animal products and dried fish.
- Commonly found infesting silk production areas and museums
Fur Beetle
(Attagenus pellio)
Appearance
- Adult is 4–6 mm in length.
- Reddish brown to black in colour with distinctive white spots; one on each wing cases.
- Larva is 6 mm in length with long orange ‘tail’ of hairs.
Lifecycle
- Normally one generation per year
- Development can take up to three years.
Habits
- Mating takes place outdoors after which they fly indoors to lay eggs.
- Common inhabitant of bird nests.
- Larva feeds on dead insects and animal materials such as wools, feather and furs.
- Adult feeds on pollen and nectar.
Varied Carpet Beetle
(Anthrenus verbasci)
Appearance
- Adult is around 6.4 mm in length and in ladybird shape.
- Wing covers (elytra) exhibit irregular pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales.
- Wing covers of older adults are black.
- Larva is 4-5 mm in length with a body covered in pattern of alternating light and dark-brown stripes.
Lifecycle
- Female lays up to 40 eggs.
- Normally one generation per year, but possibly two in warm temperatures.
- Larva takes 3–36 months to develop into adult.
Habits
- Larva rolls up when disturbed.
- Hairs may be an irritant to some people.
- Larva known as “woolly bear”.
- Larva feeds on dead animals and animal products, such as wool, silk, leather and fur.
- A common pest in museums and houses.