Cigarette Beetle

Introduction

The cigarette beetle get its common name because it attacks tobacco wherever it is stored. Its distribution is worldwide.

Recognition

Adults are about 1/16-1/8 inches long and oval, light brown in color. Antennae are serrated or sawlike. Punctures or pits on elyra irregular or prothorax bent downward, making head barely or not visible from above and giving beetle a strongly humped appearance.

Mature larva are about 1/16-1/8 inches long. Form is C-shaped with thoracic and abdominal segments about same width. Color is white, with many long hairs, and well developed four-segmented legs. Drugstore beetle larvae have the same description.

Habits

The cigarette beetle attacks a host of items such as paprika, dry dog food, beans, biscuits, chickpeas, cigars, cigarettes, cocoa beans, coffee beans, cottonseed, dates, dried banana, dried cabbage, dried carrot, dried fruits, drugs, flour, dried flowers, ginger, grains, herbarium specimens, herbs, peanuts, pepper, raisins, rice, yeast, seeds, spices, furniture stuffing, bookbinder's paste and books, and even insecticides containing pyrethrym, It also attacks animal material such as dried fish, fish meal, meat meal, leather, silk, and even dried insects. Dry dog food and paprika are most commonly attacked in the home.

Adults fly during the late afternoon and on dull cloudy days, and are attracted to light. They can be numerous enough to make both plant workers and occupants of nearby homes miserable by their presence.