Drugstore Beetle

Introduction

The Drugstore Beetle apparently got its common name because of its being a serious pest of stored herbs used as medicine in early apothecaries or drug stores. Its distribution is worldwide.

Recognition

Adults are about 1/16-1/8 inch long, reddish brown to brown in color. Antennae are clubbed, club of three elongated and broadened segments. Punctures or pits on elytra arranged in longitudinal rows. As typical of anobiids, head and 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 inch long. Form C-shaped with thoracic and abdominal segments about same width. Color white, with many short hairs. With well developed four-segmented legs. Cigarette beetle larvae have the same description.

Habits

The Drugstore Beetle attacks a host of items that include any household food and spice, as well as such things as drugs, hair, horn, leather, and museum specimens. Most commonly attacked are bread, flour, meal, breakfast foods, and condiments such as red pepper. It also is a pest of books and manuscripts.