General Characteristics:
- Primary pest for tobacco products
- Feeds on tobacco, books, cottonseed meal, rice, ginger, paprika, dried fish, crude drugs, seeds and dried plants of all sorts
- Colouration is light brown to reddish
- Adult size is 1.5-3mm
- Commonly confused with Drugstore beetle: (Distinguishing characteristics below)
Drugstore Beetle (Stegobium paniceum) - elytra (wing covers) have impressed longitudinal lines
Cigarette Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) - elytra without impressed lines and hump-backed appearance
- Adults are strong fliers
Reproduction:
- Females lay about 30 eggs in food source over a period of approximately 3 weeks
- Larvae are similar to Drugstore beetle but body hairs are clearly longer giving it a more ‘fuzzy’ appearance
- Larvae are white in colour with yellowish-brown markings clustered on the head
Signs of Infestation:
- Damaged food product can indicate presence of this beetle, but as other beetles have similar food sources, further investigation is needed to determine species
- Adults are most active during early evening hours and usually hide during the daytime
- Identification of larvae may assist in identifying an infestation of this species
Control Techniques:
- Preventative sanitation is fundamental to controlling and hindering the development of this insect
- In commercial facilities, void areas, floors and equipment should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly to limit food and harbourage
- Insecticides may be used for existing infestations ACCORDING TO LABEL SPECIFICATIONS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS
- A professional should be contacted for identification and treatment of this species
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
References:
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988. p. 213-214.
“Species Lasioderma serricorne - Cigarette Beetle” (On-line). Iowa State University Entomology. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010 at http://bugguide.net/node/view/43405.
Disclaimer:
The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
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