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LARDER BEETLE FACTS |
Identification
The Larder Beetle is a common insect pest of stored food products. It is a black or dark brown oval shaped beetle, with a band of pale hairs on the front half of the elytra (hardened front wings). There are patches of darker hairs within the light band forming a pattern of three spots.
Other Names
Bacon Beetle
Size
adult beetle length 7mm to 9mm
Food
Larder beetles feed on dried animal matter including skins, fur, dead insects. These pests will also infest ham, meat, cheese, dried pet food, and have been known to infest dried vegetable matter including wood. Sometimes these beetles are used by museums to clean flesh and skin from skeletons.
Breeding
Female beetles lay about 135 eggs near a food source. Eggs hatch in about 12 days.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Coleoptera | | Family: | Dermestidae | | Genus: | Dermestes | | Species: | lardarius | | Common Name: | Larder Beetle |
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