Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Author: Geoffroy, 1762
Explanation of Names
From Greek anthren (=flower).
Common name refers to common occurence in houses, where larvae may feed on woolen carpets.
Numbers
13 species (
Nearctica.com)
17 species and one subspecies in continental N-Am., + 1 in Hawaii (source:
dermestidae.com and Zoological Record):
Anthrenus blanci Beal, 1998 (Brit.Columbia, Washington, Oregon)
Anthrenus castaneae Melsheimer, 1846
Anthrenus chiton Beal, 1998 (Colorado, Texas)
Anthrenus coloratus Reitter, 1881
Anthrenus fucosus Beal, 1998 (Arizona)
Anthrenus fuscus Olivier, 1789
Anthrenus lepidus LeConte, 1854
Anthrenus museorum Linnaeus, 1761
Anthrenus occidens Casey, 1900
Anthrenus oceanicus Fauvel, 1903 (Hawaii Islands)
Anthrenus omoi Beal, 1998 (Arizona)
Anthrenus parvus Casey, 1900 (=acomanus Casey, 1916)
Anthrenus pimpinellae Fabricius, 1775
Anthrenus pimpinellae isabellinus Kuester, 1848
Anthrenus scrophulariae Linnaeus, 1758
Anthrenus sophonisba Beal, 1998 (California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho)
Anthrenus thoracicus Melsheimer, 1846
Anthrenus umbra Beal, 1998 (Arizona)
Anthrenus verbasci Linnaeus, 1767
Identification
Broad bodies with colored scales that often form patterns.
(1)
Colour and distribution of the scales pretty variable within, but often diagnostic between species.
Range
Species that inhabit houses are cosmopolitan today; the majority of species in semiarid regions of Eurasia and Africa.
Habitat
Nests of birds and mammals (natural habitat), buildings.
Season
Adults mainly occurr in spring, but may be found the whole year round in heated rooms.
Food
Adults feed pollen on flowers; larvae feed keratine and chitine, and may cause considerable damage on wool, fur, feathers, and natural history collections.
See Also
Anthrenocerus australis (Australian Carpet Beetle): similar, but body with hairs instead of scales; even more destructive on wool.
