After around two months, depending upon the temperature, the larvae The young larvae crawl through tiny spaces to reach foodstuffs.īiscuit beetles can survive without food for up to eight days. The conditions need to be 20✬ or more – this is the average room temperature the eggs will hatch and explore the surroundingĪrea. The female biscuit beetles will lay eggs freely in a food source or crevices near to it. Its American name ‘Drugstore beetle’ comes from its ability to breed in a dried vegetable matter of any kind, even poisonous substances. Also, the beetles are often associated with old bird nests in roof spaces.īiscuit beetles are widespread throughout the world and are likely to have been spread by the transfer of goods. The beetles are not dangerous, but they can be a nuisance when they infest food cupboard. Biscuit beetles will enter packages which are not tightly closed and will bore through cellophane, tin foil and cardboard to reach foods. They like to infest hard, dry, starchy foods such as cereals and spices.
Biscuit beetles are relatives of the woodworm beetle and may sometimes be mistaken for woodworm. The optimum temperature range is 25-28☌ development ceases below 17☌.Īlso known as Drugstore Beetles, they are small brown beetles 2 to 3 mm long. The complete life cycle takes between 12-33 weeks. The following figures are therefore only a guide. In common with other insects, development times are influenced by temperature, relative humidity, moisture content, quantity and quality of food. Adults bite their way out of the cocoon and wander in search of a mate, often a considerable distance from the larval development site. Once a food source gets located, the larva becomes less mobile with each moult.Īfter four larval moults, the insect larva constructs a small round cell from food particles and saliva, in which to pupate. First stage larvae are active and readily crawl through small openings, thereby contaminating packaged foods. A fully-grown larva is about 5mm long.Įggs are laid individually in foodstuff. The larvae are active initially but become fat, sluggish and eventually incapable of movement. Easily mistaken for the common furniture beetle or the cigarette beetle. The head is hidden under the hood-like prothorax.
Covering – a dense covering of yellowish hairs
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