Ornate carpet beetle
Scientific name
Trogoderma ornatum (Say)
Classification
Secondary pest; Grain feeder and scavenger
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Dermestidae
Acronym: TOR
Description
- Adults are oval, 1.9 to 3.6 mm long and are dark brown with light brown patterns on the elytra.
- Larvae are oval shaped and covered in dense hairs with distinct tufts on the last abdominal segment.
- Larvae change from whitish yellow in color to reddish brown as they mature.
Images
Similar species
- Other Trogoderma species
Commodities affected
- Attacks cereals, beans, barley, cottonseed pellets, broom corn, beet seed, fish meal, canary seed, oats
- May attack stuffed mammals and birds, insect collections, botanical specimens
Signs of infestation
- Contamination of product with cast larval skins
Damage
- Is a generalist feeder and damage is not distinguishable from other generalist feeders
- Larvae cause all damage, adults are nectar and pollen feeders
How to control
Geographic range
- In Canada, it occurs only in southern Ontario
Life history
- Females lay eggs amongst the food source.
- Larvae are able to undergo diapause (dormancy) if conditions for development are not suitable.
Not what you're looking for?
Start over again from the Insect identification key page.