Black Carpet Beetles
Species: Attagenus fasciatus, Attagenus pellio
Other common name: Fur Beetle
Family: Dermestidae
Distribution
North America, Oceania, Europe
Pest Type
Secondary pest, scavenger
Identification
Adults are 3–5 mm, and oval in shape. Their bodies are dark brown to black in colour. Attagenus fasciatus has has a distictive pale band across the elytra. Attagenus pellio has a small white spot in the centre of each elytra. Other Attagenus species do not have markings.
Larvae are eruciform (caterpillar-like), elongate, and have a tuft of hairs at their posterior end.
Life Cycle
At optimum conditions of 24℃ and 70-80% relative humidity, the life cycle will be completed in four to eight months. Females lay eggs on the commodity. Larvae are mobile and they cast skins throughout infested material. The adults don’t feed on commodities and have a short life span.
Commodities attacked
Dried organic material, especially of animal origins like hides, biological specimens, wool, and skin.
Economic Importance
Of medium importance in museums and in households, and is low elsewhere.
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