Warehouse Beetle
Scientific name: Trogoderma variabile
Family: Dermestidae
Distribution
Worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean and warm temperate regions.
Pest Type
Primary and secondary pest
Identification
Adults are 1.5–4.0 mm long and oval in shape. The body is black in colour with three wavy brown lines across the elytra. The antenna has 8 segments ending in a 3-segmented club. The larvae are 7.0–8.0 mm in length and are eruciform. They are yellow to white in colour; the top side of the last 3-4 abdominal segments is covered if tufts of spear-tipped hairs.
Life Cycle
At optimum conditions of 30℃, the life cycle will be completed in 21 days. Females lay eggs on the commodity. Larvae are mobile and cast skins throughout infested material, and they can survive without food for years. The adults don’t feed on commodities and have a short life span.
Commodities attacked
Feeds on various foods, including grains, cereals, flour, nuts, processed foods, dead animals, and plant materials.
Economic Importance
Of high economic importance especially in warehouses and storage facilities.
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