Fur Beetle
Attagenus pellio
Appearance
- Adult — 4–6 mm long. Elongate oval. One small patch of white on each wing case, otherwise red–brown to black.
- Larva — 6 mm long. Long orange tufts of hair on the last abdominal segment.
- Larvae have a banded appearance.
- Pupa — formed in the last larval skin.
Lifecycle
- Mating takes place outdoors after which they fly indoors to lay eggs. Normally one generation per year but development may extend to three years.
Habits
- A common inhabitant of birds nests. Adults feed outdoors often on Spiraea plants.
- Larvae attack furs, skins, woollens, etc. and stored grain.