Do you Think you Have Textile Pests?
Don't waste time, book a treatment now with one of our experts
Call us for a free quote on (852) 2954 6888
Common Fabric Beetle Species
Knowing about the lifecycle and habits of different fabric beetle species can help to identify the most effective control methods.
Leather Beetle/Hide Beetle
(Dermestes maculatus)
Appearance
- Adult is 6–10 mm in length.
- Black and dull in colour with white underside.
- Larva is 3–9 mm in length with orange stripe running down its back.
Lifecycle
- Female lays up to 800 eggs.
- Lifecycle is 2–3 months.
Habits
- Pupates in solid material such as wood.
- Feeds on various animal products and dried fish.
- Commonly found infesting silk production areas and museums
Fur Beetle
(Attagenus pellio)
Appearance
- Adult is 4–6 mm in length.
- Reddish brown to black in colour with distinctive white spots; one on each wing cases.
- Larva is 6 mm in length with long orange ‘tail’ of hairs.
Lifecycle
- Normally one generation per year
- Development can take up to three years.
Habits
- Mating takes place outdoors after which they fly indoors to lay eggs.
- Common inhabitant of bird nests.
- Larva feeds on dead insects and animal materials such as wools, feather and furs.
- Adult feeds on pollen and nectar.
Varied Carpet Beetle
(Anthrenus verbasci)
Appearance
- Adult is around 6.4 mm in length and in ladybird shape.
- Wing covers (elytra) exhibit irregular pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales.
- Wing covers of older adults are black.
- Larva is 4-5 mm in length with a body covered in pattern of alternating light and dark-brown stripes.
Lifecycle
- Female lays up to 40 eggs.
- Normally one generation per year, but possibly two in warm temperatures.
- Larva takes 3–36 months to develop into adult.
Habits
- Larva rolls up when disturbed.
- Hairs may be an irritant to some people.
- Larva known as “woolly bear”.
- Larva feeds on dead animals and animal products, such as wool, silk, leather and fur.
- A common pest in museums and houses.