| Drugstore Beetle |
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| anobiidae | |
The Drugstore beetle (''Stegobium paniceum'') (also known as the '''Bread beetle''' or '''Biscuit beetle''') is a tiny, brown Beetle that can be found infesting a wide variety of products, and are among the commonest non- Weevil s to be found there. They have a worldwide distribution, and can be more commonly found in warmer climates. They are similar in appearance to the Cigarette Beetle , but are slightly larger and do not have serrated antennae. Their larvae are small, white grubs, and can be distinguished from the grubs of the Cigarette beetle by their shorter hair. The female can lay up to 75 eggs at once, and the larval period lasts upto several months depending on the food source. It is the larvae that are responsible for most of the damage that this species can cause. As their name suggests, Drugstore beetles have a tendency to feed on pharmalogical products, including prescription drugs. They will also feed on a diverse range of dried foods and spices, as well as hair, leather, books, and museum specimens. They can bore into furniture, and in some cases tin foil or sheets of lead. The Drugstore beetle lives in Obligatory Symbiosis with a yeast fungus, which is passed on to the offspring by covering the eggs with it. |
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