Dried Fruit Beetles
Species: Carpophilus hemipterus, Carpophilus marginellus
Other common names: Sap-feeding beetles/Corn sap beetles
Family: Nitidulidae
Distribution
Worldwide
Pest Type
Secondary pest; feeds on mould
Identification
Adults are 2.0–4.0 mm in length, oval in shape, and brown to black in colour. The elytra do not fully cover the abdomen, exposing 2-3 abdominal segments. The elyra sometimes have one or two reddish or brown spots. The antennae usually have 11 segments with a very distinct 3-segmented club at the tips. Carpophilus hemipterus has distinctive yellow triangles on its elytra, while Carpophilus marginellus is entirely dark chestnut-brown in colour. The larvae are campodeiform
Life Cycle
At optimum conditions of 32℃ and high humidity, the life cycle will be completed in 12 days. Females lay eggs on the commodity. Larvae are mobile and feed externally. The adults feed on commodities and have a long life span
Commodities attacked
Dried, ripening, and decomposing fruit, fungi, fruit juices, and newly harvested grains.
Economic Importance
Highly important on dried fruit commodities.
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