Hide And Larder Beetles
Order:
Coleoptera
Family: Dermestidae
Scientific Name: Dermestes maculatus
De Geer (Hide beetle) - Dermestes
lardarius L. (Larder beetle)
Infestation
of stored products by Dermestes species is generally confined to
products of animal origin.
Both the larvae and adults of hide and larder beetles feed on protein-containing
materials and foodstuffs, such as cured meats, dried fish, pet foods,
dead insects, bird feathers, and animal carcasses, horns, hides and furs.
Cosmopolitan in distribution, these beetles may infest new areas
through world-wide trading.
Biology and Habits
Coleoptereans undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Adult females may deposit from 200 to 800 creamy-white eggs on infestable items or in nearby cracks and crevices.
Hide beetle larvae may molt 5 to 11 times before pupation. Larvae prefer hides and skins and typically cause more damage than adults. Their body is covered with setae (hairs), a common characteristic of dermestid beetles. Two anteriorly curved spines distinguish them from relatives. Mature larvae (about 15 mm) may bore into various materials to create protective pupal chambers. Brush handles, window ledges, styrofoam and other items may exhibit signs of this indiscriminate boring habit of the larvae.
Larder beetle larvae usually molt 5 to 6 times and feed on a variety of protein-containing materials. Larvae have numerous bristles and two posteriorly curved spines. Fully grown larvae are 10 to 15 mm in length and, like the hide beetle larvae, may bore into hard substrates for pupation.
Adult Dermestes beetles are elongated and lack ocelli (small eyes). Their 11-segmented antennae terminate in a three-segmented club.
The adult hide beetle is 6 to 9 mm in length and top side of the body is covered with black and gray setae. The adult larder beetle ranges from 7 to 9 mm in length and the underside of the body and the legs are covered with fine yellow setae. The wing covers (elytra) on the adult larder beetle have a pale yellow six-spotted band. Adult hide beetles lack distinctive color patterns.
Under
ideal conditions, hide beetles may complete their development in 35 days.
The adult stage is short-lived (2 to 3 weeks), and multiple generations
often occur annually.
Larder beetles generally complete their life cycle in 40 to 50
days.
Adults live 3 to 5 months and may hibernate in unheated premises
in the winter months.
Control
Sanitation is an essential step once the source of the infestation is determined. Such procedures include cleaning infested items, thoroughly vacuuming cracks and crevices near infested items, complete removal of insect fragments caught in electrocutors, and off-site disposal of infested food products and animal carcasses. Sealing cracks and crevices may eliminate suitable sites for these pests. Pheromone traps for these species are not yet available.
Museum artifacts and articles composed of animal hides are commonly infested. Brushing insecticidal dusts into the fur or fumigating these items are two control options. The immediate area surrounding the infested items may require a residual treatment. Aerosols may provide limited control of exposed adults and larvae.
In
addition, poultry houses are commonly infested with these beetles.
(Courtesy of the National Pest Control Association.)