Cigarette Beetle
Lasioderma serricorne
Identification
- 1/8 inch long
- shiny light brown to reddish brown
- head barely visible or not visible from above
- strong fliers
- similar to drugstore beetle, but is wider and has serrated antennae (not clubbed) and has no rows of pits on wing covers
- larvae: c-shaped, white and hairy
Nesting Habits
- adults hide in crevices indoors during the winter
- can infest stored food products
Diet
- variety of foods including grains, peanuts, grains, seeds, processed grain products, dried fruits and vegetables
- prefer spices, tobacco products and dry pet food
- rodent baits, dried flowers, dead rodents and insects
Significance
- damage books and furniture
- infest a variety of food sources
- may attack furniture stuffing, silk and animal materials such as leather
IPM Recommendations
- Locate and dispose of infested food items.
- Inspect all incoming food items for pests.
- Monitor with pheromone traps.
- Clean up all spilled food products and food storage areas.
- Store all susceptible food items in pest-proof containers.
- Keep food in regular rotation.
- Change insect monitors and service mouse traps and multi-catch traps on a regular basis.