Black Larder Beetles
Species: Dermestes ater, Dermestes haemorrhoidalis, Dermestes peruvianus
Family: Dermestidae
Distribution
Can be found throughout the world. D. ater is mostly tropical in distribution, while the others are tolerant of temperate conditions.
Pest Type
Secondary pest
Identification
Adults are 5–10mm, oval, and dark brown to black in colour. Their bodies are covered with sparse hairs.
D. ater – the underside of the abdomen is light brown with dark patches in the middle and on the sides
D. haemorrhoidalis – the underside is dark brown with fine pale brown hairs throughout, and does not have any pattern. The outer edge of the elytra has a fringe of hairs.
D. peruvianus – The outer edge of the elytra does not have a fringe of hairs.
Life Cycle
At optimum conditions of 30℃ and 75% relative humidity, the life cycle will be completed in 21 days. Females lay eggs on the commodity. Larvae are mobile and they cast skins throughout infested material. The adults don’t feed on commodities and live long.
Commodities attacked
Attacks food and non-food items like museum collections, fish meal, dried fish, copra, hides and skins. A scavenger in stored grain, feeding on dead insects/animals.
Economic Importance
High, a major pest in dried fish and salted fish industry, and a threat to silk production.
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