Anthrenus scrophulariae

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Anthrenus scrophulariae
Anthrenus scrophulariae.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Dermestidae
Genus: Anthrenus
Subgenus: Anthrenus
Species:
A. scrophulariae
Binomial name
Anthrenus scrophulariae
Subspecies
  • Anthrenus scrophulariae scrophulariae
  • Anthrenus scrophulariae albidus
Synonyms [1]
  • Dermestes scrophulariae Linnaeus, 1758
  • Dermestes variegatus Scopoli, 1763
  • Byrrhus scrophulariae Linnaeus, 1767
  • Anthrenus histrio Fabricius, 1792
  • Anthrenus verbasci Herbst, 1797
  • Anthrenus scrophulariae ab. histrio: Heer, 1841
  • Anthrenus scrophulariae var. albida Dalla Torre, 1879
  • Anthrenus scrophulariae var. flavida Dalla Torre, 1879

Anthrenus (Anthrenus) scrophulariae, also known as the common carpet beetle [2] or buffalo carpet beetle, is a species of beetle originally found in Europe, the Middle East and the Nearctic, which has now spread to most of the world. Adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, but the larvae feed on animal fibres and can be damaging pests to carpets, fabrics and museum specimens.

Contents

Description

Larva with millimeter scale Anthrenus scrophulariae (Larve).jpg
Larva with millimeter scale

The adult common carpet beetle varies from about 2.5 to 3.8 mm (0.10 to 0.15 in) in length. The antennae have eleven segments, three of which form a club, and the eyes are notched at the front. The head is black but is largely concealed under the prothorax, which is also black, liberally speckled with white scales apart from a band in the centre. The elytra (wing cases) are black with orange or reddish scales near the midline and variable but symmetric patches of white scales elsewhere. As the beetle gets older, the scales tend to get rubbed off so the beetle changes in appearance. [3] The small white eggs are laid in batches of 30 to 60 and have projections which help them to adhere to carpet fibres. The larvae are brown and moult five times before pupating; the final instar larva is hairy and larger than the adult beetle. Pupation takes place in the last larval skin. [3] [4]

Distribution

The common carpet beetle originated in the Palaearctic region, but has been widely introduced elsewhere, now being present in most parts of the world. However, it is more common in temperate parts of the northern hemisphere and less common in the tropics and humid regions. [4]

Life cycle

Adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, usually selecting white or whitish flowers such as buckwheat, wild aster, daisy, Spiraea and Ceanothus . This diet encourages mating and egg-laying, and the females seek out suitable locations with animal hairs or fibres for ovipositing; these include bird and animal nests, bee hives and the skins of dead animals, as well as indoor sites such as carpets, upholstery, fabrics or preserved animal material. The eggs hatch in two to three weeks, and the larvae chew at whatever animal fibres they find in their environment. After about two months the larvae pupate and the adult insects emerge about a month later and, if indoors, make their way into the open air. [3]

Control

Larvae of a carpet beetle feeding on a wasp in an insect collection Sceliphron and pest.jpg
Larvae of a carpet beetle feeding on a wasp in an insect collection

When the eggs are laid on carpets and household fabrics, the larvae feed on the animal fibres and make holes in the materials. Exhibits in museums may be eaten away, leaving a powdering of fine dust [3] round dried insects in collections; herbarium specimens may also be consumed. [5] Human skin that comes into contact with the discarded larval skins may develop dermatitis. [3] Good hygiene and regular vacuuming may prevent infestations from happening. Small items can be placed in airtight containers to keep the beetles out, and both heat and cold treatments are effective against the larvae and eggs. In enclosed spaces, mothballs can be placed as a repellent. Chemical treatments are possible but may not reach all the recesses where the insects lurk, and fumigation may be necessary in extreme cases. [3]

Notes

  1. Variants rubricollis and suecicus are now considered synonyms of subspecies Anthrenus scrophulariae scrophulariae; variants gravidus and senex - of subspecies Anthrenus scrophulariae albidus. [6]

See also

Similar species:

Sometimes could also be confused with:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermestidae</span> Family of beetles

Dermestidae are a family of Coleoptera that are commonly referred to as skin beetles. Other common names include larder beetle, hide or leather beetles, carpet beetles, and khapra beetles. There are over 1,800 species described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varied carpet beetle</span> Species of beetle

The varied carpet beetle is a 3 mm-long beetle belonging to the family Dermestidae, positioned in subgenus Nathrenus. They are a common species, often considered a pest of domestic houses and, particularly, natural history museums, where the larvae may damage natural fibers and can damage carpets, furniture, clothing, and insect collections. A. verbasci was also the first insect to be shown to have an annual behavioral rhythm and to date remains a classic example of circannual cycles in animals.

<i>Goliathus</i> Genus of beetles

The Goliath beetles are any of the five species in the genus Goliathus. Goliath beetles are among the largest insects on Earth, if measured in terms of size, bulk and weight. They are members of subfamily Cetoniinae, within the family Scarabaeidae. Goliath beetles can be found in many of Africa's tropical forests, where they feed primarily on tree sap and fruit. Little appears to be known of the larval cycle in the wild, but in captivity, Goliathus beetles have been successfully reared from egg to adult using protein-rich foods such as commercial cat and dog food. Goliath beetles measure from 60–110 millimetres (2.4–4.3 in) for males and 50–80 millimetres (2.0–3.1 in) for females, as adults, and can reach weights of up to 80–100 grams (2.8–3.5 oz) in the larval stage, though the adults are only about half this weight. The females range from a dark chestnut brown to silky white, but the males are normally brown/white/black or black/white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planidium</span>

A planidium is a specialized form of insect larva seen in the first-instar of a few families of insects that have parasitoidal ways of life. They are usually flattened, highly sclerotized (hardened), and quite mobile. The function of the planidial stage is to find a host on which the later larval instars may feed, generally until the insect pupates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black carpet beetle</span> Species of beetle

The black carpet beetle is a 3–5-millimetre-long (0.12–0.20 in) beetle that can be a serious household pest. The larvae grow to 7 mm (0.28 in) in length, are reddish brown in colour and covered with bristles. The larval form feeds on natural fibres, damaging carpets, furniture and clothing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleridae</span> Checkered beetles

Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.

<i>Cotinis nitida</i> Species of beetle

Cotinis nitida, commonly known as the green June beetle, June bug or June beetle, is a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in the eastern United States and Canada, where it is most abundant in the South. It is sometimes confused with the related southwestern species figeater beetle Cotinis mutabilis, which is less destructive.

<i>Dermestes lardarius</i> Species of beetle

Dermestes lardarius, commonly known as the larder beetle or moisture bug, is a species of beetle in the family Dermestidae, the skin beetles. It is found worldwide. It is a common pest of households and storage facilities ("larders") in much of the world. It eats animal products, such as dried meats and fish, pet food, skins and hides, feathers, cheese, and museum specimens such as dried insects. It may also eat plant material that is high in protein, such as grain.

<i>Dermestes maculatus</i> Species of beetle

Dermestes maculatus is a species of beetle with a worldwide distribution, being present on all continents except Antarctica. In Europe, it is present in all countries.

Home-stored product entomology is the study of insects that infest foodstuffs stored in the home. It deals with the prevention, detection and eradication of pests.

<i>Anthrenus</i> Genus of beetles

Anthrenus is a genus of beetles in the family Dermestidae, the skin beetles. One of several genera of carpet beetles, Anthrenus was historically placed in a subfamily Anthreninae, though presently included in the Megatominae. The genus Neoanthrenus is closely related.

<i>Hofmannophila</i> Species of moth

Hofmannophila is a genus of moths in the concealer moth family Oecophoridae. It is monotypic, with the single species Hofmannophila pseudospretella, the brown house moth, which appears to be closely related to species of the genus Borkhausenia.

<i>Dermestes frischii</i> Species of beetle

Dermestes frischii is a species of beetle found in the Palearctic, including Europe, tropical Africa, the Near East, the Nearctic, North Africa and East Asia. In Europe, it is known from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Corsica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, mainland Denmark, European Turkey, Finland, mainland France, Germany, mainland Greece, Hungary, mainland Italy, Kaliningrad, Moldova, North Macedonia, mainland Norway (doubtful), Poland, Russia, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, mainland Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.

<i>Anthrenus museorum</i> Species of beetle

Anthrenus museorum, commonly known as the museum beetle, is a species of beetle found in the Palearctic, the Near East and the Nearctic. In its larval form it damages all forms of dry skin and hair. The larva will also eat dry cheese, flour or cocoa occasionally. It is considered a pest, as it damages, among others, the skin of taxidermied animals, such as polar bears and big cats in museums.

<i>Anthrenocerus australis</i> Species of beetle

Anthrenocerus australis is a species of beetle belonging to the Dermestidae family. It is commonly known as the Australian carpet beetle and is one of the most researched of the thirty-one species in the Anthrenocerus genus. This is generally attributed to its prevalence throughout Australia and New Zealand and the negative economic and agricultural impact it has as a pest. It is the larvae that causes damage to products, not the adult beetle. The total life cycle of this insect is around three years, most of which is spent as a larva. Once the beetle reaches maturity, it only lives for between two and six weeks.

<i>Anthrenus flavipes</i> Species of beetle

Anthrenus flavipes is a species of beetle in the family Dermestidae known by the common name furniture carpet beetle. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring throughout the world, being most active in warmer climates. It is a pest that damages household materials such as textiles.

<i>Dermestes ater</i> Species of beetle

Dermestes ater is a species of beetle in the family Dermestidae, the skin beetles. It is known commonly as the black larder beetle or incinerator beetle. It is native to North America, but today it is found nearly worldwide. Like several other dermestid beetles, this species is a common pest of stored products.

<i>Anthrenus sarnicus</i> Species of beetle

Anthrenus sarnicus, the Guernsey carpet beetle, is a type of carpet beetle. It can be generally found in Great Britain. Its suborder is Polyphaga, the infraorder is Bostrichiformia, the superfamily is Bostrichoidea, and the family is Dermestidae. The carpet beetle is shaped like an oval and about the size of a pin.

<i>Trogoderma variabile</i> Species of beetle

Trogoderma variabile, the warehouse beetle, is a species of carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Central America, North America and Oceania.

<i>Julodis euphratica</i> Species of beetle

Julodis euphratica also known as the Sulphrous jewel beetle or Euphratic jewel beetle, an insect from the order of beetles and a family of whippings. It measures from 29 to 31 mm. It feeds on nectar from wild flowers. The larvae of these beetles live in acacia trees, where they spend the year before pupating and emerging in the early spring to mate. The larval stage lasts about 9 months and the adults live for 3 months. The total lifespan of the beetle from egg to adult and death is approximately a year in length.

References

  1. Herrmann, Andreas. "Anthrenus scrophulariae ssp. scrophulariae (Linnaeus, 1758)". Dermestidae.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. "Anthrenus (Anthrenus) scrophulariae". Fauna Europaea. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hill, Stephanie; Mitola, Mark (1 December 2013). "Common carpet beetle: Anthrenus scrophulariae". Featured Creatures. IFAS. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  4. 1 2 Taylor, Scott (12 August 2005). "Anthrenus scrophulariae – Buffalo Carpet Beetle". BugGuide. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  5. Hagstrum, David (2009). Stored-Product Insect Resource. Elsevier. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-12-810456-9.
  6. Háva, Jiří (2023). "World Dermestidae. Subfamily Megatominae" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.