Species Anthrenus fuscus

=obscurus Schönherr, claviger Erichson

Anthrenus fuscus Olivier 1789

2-3.4 mm

Bright scales of dorsal surface condensed on side margins of pronotum and forming three (usually narrow) fasciae on elytra. Sides of pronotum slightly sinuate in anteriour half. Eyes not notched in front, Antennae 6-segmented, with the last segment club-like, as long (female) or longer (male) as the rest of antenna.

native to Eurasia, introduced in e. NA (NS-QC + scattered US records)(1)(2)(3)

flour mills, warehouses, houses, peridomestic habitats (outbuildings, sheds, barns, stone walls...); associated with spiderwebs where it feeds on insect debris that gathers in the web, or in corners where webs are built(2); may also occur in bird & wasp nests(1)

indoors, the larvae probably survive on the remains of insects(1)

can damage woolens, carpets, insect collections, and books; minor pest in NA(2)(1)

A. museorum is similar in colour pattern but has 8-segmented antennae with 2-segmented club, considerably shorter than the rest of antenna.