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Photos of insects and people from the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2024

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


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Genus Anthrenus

carpet beetle - Anthrenus verbasci 185031 - Anthrenus verbasci Carpet Beetle - Anthrenus Carpet Beetle? - Anthrenus isabellinus Beetle - Anthrenus fuscus Carpet Beetle - Anthrenus fuscus Anthrenus pimpinellae? - Anthrenus isabellinus Beetle - Anthrenus isabellinus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
Superfamily Bostrichoidea
Family Dermestidae (Carpet Beetles)
Subfamily Megatominae
Tribe Anthrenini
Genus Anthrenus
Explanation of Names
Anthrenus Geoffroy 1762
Numbers
18 spp. (incl. several adventive) in our area(1), ~200 in 10 subgenera total(2)
Size
1.8‒4 mm(3)
Identification
Broad body covered with colored scales that often form patterns(3) (pattern variable but often diagnostic)
key to species in (4)
Range
most spp. in semiarid regions of Eurasia and Africa; those found indoors are cosmopolitan(2)
Habitat
abandoned nests of birds/mammals, old wasp nests; some spp. are common household pests. Adults visit flowers.
Season
Adults mainly occur in spring (year round indoors)
Food
larvae scavenge on fur, feathers, skin flakes, dead insects, etc. keratine- or chitin-rich materials; adults feed on pollen • materials consumed indoors include dry pet food, wool/fur articles, hair & skin flakes shed by people/pets and accumulated in the corners
Life Cycle
Larva Pupa Adult emerging Adult
Remarks
Larvae may damage wool, fur, feathers, and natural history collections. Control can be achieved by keeping home free of accumulated hair/dust, discarding infested items and properly storing vulnerable items. Store dry foods in glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Mothballs and moth crystals are ineffective or carcinogenic.
See Also
Anthrenocerus australis is similar, but dorsum with hairs, not scales(5); destructive on wool