| Ptinus fur | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Superfamily: | Bostrichoidea |
| Family: | Ptinidae |
| Subfamily: | Ptininae |
| Genus: | Ptinus |
| Species: | P. fur |
| Binomial name | |
| Ptinus fur | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ptinus fur, the white marked spider beetle, is a species of spider beetle in the genus Ptinus (family Ptinidae), with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. [1]
Adults are morphologically similar to other spider beetle species, notably the hairy spider beetle ( Ptinus villiger ). [2] It is red-brown with yellow hairs, and measures 2.0–4.3 millimetres (0.08–0.17 in) in length. The prothorax is densely covered with pale hairs, while the elytra bear some patches of white scales. [1]
It is a pest of stored foods, [2] with a worldwide distribution, where it may be identified by leaving webbed, granular materials on the stored products. [2] Ptinus fur adults feed on dried and decaying animal and vegetable material. [2] [3] It has also been identified as a pest in museums, damaging stored collections. [3]
It has been found in the nests of birds, notably the sand martin. [4]
Ptinus fur experiences an optimal temperature for development at 23 °C (73 °F), and may complete its life cycle in 132 days on fishmeal or fewer on wheat-based feed at this temperature per Howe and Burges. [5] Larvae of P. fur normally moult three times at 23 °C but some may achieve an extra moult on certain media. [5]
Ptinus fur is capable of undergoing diapause within cocoons in a subset of final-instar larvae: at 23 °C diapause can extend for 220 days after other larvae have pupated, while it reportedly lasts up to 280 days at 20 °C (68 °F). [5]
According to Howe and Burges, adult beetles have a life span of several months and may also diapause in cocoons. [5]