(Lasioderma serricorne)

The Cigarette Beetle is a small beetle that belongs to the family Anobiidae. It is known for its destructive habits and is a common pest of stored products, infesting a variety of dried plant materials.

Larval Feeding: The larvae of Cigarette Beetles are voracious feeders, causing damage by tunneling into the inner portions of stored products.
Silk Webbing: Larvae produce silk webbing within the infested materials, and the presence of this webbing is a key indicator of Cigarette Beetle infestations.
Flight Capability: Adult beetles are capable of flight, allowing them to disperse and infest new areas.
Control:
Control measures for Cigarette Beetles involve maintaining proper storage conditions, including temperature and humidity control. Regular inspection and monitoring of stored products are crucial for early detection. Integrated pest management strategies may include the use of insect-proof storage containers, sanitation practices, and, if necessary, the application of insecticides or fumigation.

Given their ability to infest stored products and cause economic losses, effective management of Cigarette Beetle infestations requires a proactive approach to storage hygiene and pest control.

Overview

Biology

Appearance: Adult Cigarette Beetles are small, measuring about 2 to 3 millimeters in length. They have an elongated and oval-shaped body, usually light brown in color. The body is covered in fine hairs, giving it a slightly fuzzy appearance.

Food

Life Cycle: The life cycle of the Cigarette Beetle includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Female beetles lay eggs on or near stored products, and the emerging larvae feed on the products, creating silk webbing. The pupal stage occurs within the silk webbing, and adult beetles emerge to continue the life cycle.
Reproduction: Cigarette Beetles reproduce rapidly, and the development from egg to adult can be completed in a few weeks, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Cigarette Beetles are commonly found in stored products, especially in facilities where dried plant materials are stored. They infest a variety of products, including tobacco, dried herbs, spices, grains, and even some museum collections containing organic materials.

Description

The primary food source for Cigarette Beetles is dried plant materials. They are known to infest a variety of products, causing damage by consuming the products and creating silk webbing. Cigarette Beetles can infest tobacco products, dried herbs, spices, grains, and other stored items.