INSECT IDENTIFICATION
BISCUIT BEETLE
CARPET BEETLE
Stegobium paniceum Identification: 2 - 3mm in length. Adult beetles are, reddish-brown in colour. Also called Drug Store Beetles as they have an affinity to infest pharmaceutical products, such as prescribed drugs.
Anthrenus verbasci Identification: 1.5 - 4mm in length. Variable, brown or black and mottled with yellow or white marks in colour. Similar in shape to a small ladybird.
Control: Infestations mostly originate in birds’ nests in lofts and chimneys. It is important to trace and remove the source of the infestation. Check the roof spaces for old birds’ nests and wool based lagging or other materials, examine the cracks between floorboards around the edges of rooms and under skirting boards for accumulations of debris. Treat the infested areas using a residual insecticide labelled for crawling insect to ensure that all adult beetles and larvae have been killed.
Control: The source of the infestation should be traced. Any affected foods should be discarded. The area should then be thoroughly cleaned, and a residual insecticide labelled for ‘crawling insects’ can be used. Biscuit beetle can also be associated with birds’ nests. Nests should be removed and a suitable insecticide used if necessary. Stock rotation should be reviewed to ensure that products likely to be infested are used quickly. In the home, foodstuffs should be stored in tins or plastic containers.
CONFUSED FLOUR BEETLE
LARDER BEETLE
Dermestes lardarius Identification: 7 - 9mm in length. Oval-shaped body. Black with a light
Tribolium confusum
Identification: 3 - 4mm in length. Attack milled grain products such as flour and cereals but have a very wide food range including grains, spices, grain products, shelled nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, drugs, peas, beans and other similar materials.
coloured band across the wing covers. There are several dark spots in the buff area. A common pest of hides and other animal products including dried and cured meats.
Control: Infestations in domestic or food storage situations can usually be traced back to a cereal source. Since these beetles can infest many types of grain products. There may be several infested products, discard any infested food. Areas should be thoroughly vacuumed paying attention to cracks and crevices. Store new food products in sealed glass or plastic containers. After cleaning, treat the infested areas using a residual insecticide labelled for crawling insect to ensure that all adult beetles and larvae have been killed.
Control: The first step in controlling larder beetle infestations is locating the food source. Both larvae and adults tend to travel long distances, inspect kitchen cupboards, shelves and spaces under/behind ovens and fridges. Rooms where animal feed is stored should be inspected. Roof spaces and basements should be checked for the presence of dead rodents, birds, or insects. Treat the infested areas using a residual insecticide labelled for crawling insect to ensure that all adult beetles and larvae have been killed.
RICE WEEVIL
BOOKLICE (PSOCIDS)
Sitophilus oryzae Identification: 2.5 - 3.5mm in length. Brown to black in colour and have four faint redbrown spots on the back of the abdomen. They have hard-shelled bodies that appear pitted or scarred with tiny holes. Weevils possess a long slender snout
Psocoptera
Identification: 1 - 2mm in length. Small almost microscopic, pale translucent to yellow or grey in colour. Booklice do not like the light, preferring to live in dark humid places such as the folds of packaging in food cupboards.
Control: Infestations in domestic or food storage situations can usually be traced back to a cereal source. Since these beetles can infest many types of grain products. There may be several infested products, discard any infested food. Areas should be thoroughly vacuumed paying attention to cracks and crevices. Store new food products in sealed glass or plastic containers. After cleaning, treat the infested areas using a residual insecticide labeled for crawling insect to ensure that all adult beetles and larvae have been killed.
Control: They are usually present in small numbers and go unnoticed. However, can become numerous and a nuisance. Adjusting the environment they need to survive and multiply, is the first step in controlling booklice. Keep dry foodstuffs in a cool, dry, well ventilated place, remove infested food. Remove unnecessary collections of books or papers. If these methods fail to give adequate control, use a residual insecticide,aerosol or diatomaceous earth dust in areas where booklice have occurred will be effective.
234 | INSECT I.D.
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