Biology of the common carpet beetle, Anthrenus scrophulariae Linn, (Coleoptera: Dermistidae) infesting stored silk cocoons

Issue Date

10-2012

Abstract

A serious infestation outbreak of Dermestes spp. inside silk factories in silk producing countries destroyed a considerable quantity of silk cocoons. The common carper beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariae) belongs to the group of smallest dermestid beetles found attacking cocoons in the filature of the Sericulture Research and Development Institute. In the Philippines, no detailed information is available regarding the importance of this stored product pest, i.e., its behavior , for life history, nature of damage, causes of prolonged infestation and control measures, thus this study. The biology of the carpet beetle was studied by observing the developmental stages, behavior, and damage to silk cocoons. Adult common carpet beetle is oval in shape and varies from 2.5 to 9 mm in length. The head is black, mostly hidden by the prothorax and elytra are black with distinct scale patterns. The eggs of the common carpet beetle are small, white, and have projections. The larvae are brown, undergo seven to nine moultings, taking about 65-70 days to develop. During the sixth instar, the larvae is reddish brown, covered with many dark hairs, and measures 2.83 - 6.93 mm long. Pupation takes place in the last larval skin, 70 days after hatching inside a cocoon. The larvae are the one causing economic damage. stored silk cocoons were found unreelable due to irregular holes and with significantly reduced weight ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 %.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

26

Issue

2

Page

198

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ANTHRENUS; DERMESTIDAE; COCOONS; STORED PRODUCT PESTS; INFESTATIONS; DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

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