ABOUT
THE
VARIED CARPET BEETLE
Anthrenus verbasci.
| Recognizing
the Carpet Beetle: |
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ADULT
1/10
inch to 1/8 inch long, black to grey body with a varied pattern
of white, yellow and brown elongated scales attached. The last
three antennal segments are slightly enlarged and form a club
shape.
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LARVAE
Yellowish brown with black and brown hairs. Up to 1/5 inch
long, hairy, with three distinct pairs of hairy tufts at the
tail end; three pair of thoracic legs.
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PUPAE
Pupal cases brownish with dark beetle inside the pupal chamber.
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Life
Cycle
The female beetle will lay eggs in materials made with hair, feather
or insect parts. It is a scavenger for animal
proteins. Larvae will feed off the food or fiber substance for about
7-10 months depending on environment. The life cycle on average will
be 11 months. Adults live for 30-45 days. One generation occurs per
year depending on storage conditions. Adults actively fly when temperature
is above 70°F.
|
LARVAE
CAUSE DAMAGE to:
- Plant
products
- Animal
products
- Textiles
|
The
presence of cast skins is easily seen. Holes and frayed fibers in
textiles also may be present. Adults are excellent fliers and are
attracted to lights. The use of pheromone traps and inspections
can determine the location and degree of infestation. |
| A
common household pest they can also attack: |
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| The
use of pheromone traps and inspections can determine the location
and degree of infestation. These pests are commonly found in: |
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WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT THE LURE:
Bullet Lure: contains sex pheromone to attract male beetles.
Effective duration of attraction is 8 weeks.
Wafer Lure. Contains sex pheromone to attract male beetles.
Effective duration of attraction is 8 weeks.
Lure Storage
Keep unopened foil pouches in cool storage (less than 60° F) or
place in freezer for extended storage. Lures
can remain frozen for up to 18 months to retain their full effectiveness
for use afterwards.
Trap Designs
used with Lure:
Flat traps are low profile flat rectangular sticky traps
that can be placed on level surfaces.
Trap Placement
Techniques
Timing
- traps should be placed in early March, just before active flights
begin.
Density
- it is recommended that traps be placed near materials susceptible
to attack (see list above) at one per every 10 feet. In large
warehouses traps may be placed every 15 feet apart.
Location
- Place hanging traps at just above eye height in rooms or warehouses
where food is stored. Stealth traps can be placed inside
drawers, under or above cabinets, inside cupboards and more confined
spaces where hanging traps cannot fit.
Trap and Lure
Maintenance
Traps must be replaced when filled with beetles or they become dusty.
Traps may remain sticky for many months. Lures must be replaced every
6 weeks. The old lure should be removed from the trap.
Trapped beetles
should be recorded regularly on a separate monitoring data sheet to
determine trapping trends.
Expectations
1 beetle per trap per week -- Inspection of materials susceptible to
attack should be carried out.
3-5 beetles/ trap per week -- Serious damage is likely on a single product
or location in the area of the trap.
10+ beetles/trap per week - Serious wide spread damage has occurred
to products or items in the storage area.
Important
Notes:
Large numbers of beetles require other means of control and management
to eradicate infestations. Female beetles however, may actively
fly around and not be attracted to the traps. |
Please
call us at 951. 924.4616 or Toll Free at 877-924-4616
for additional information or to purchase other equipment or services.
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