Numbers
18 spp. (incl. several adventive) in our area
(1), ~200 total
(2)Identification
Broad body covered with colored scales that often form patterns
(3) (scale colour and distribution variable, but often diagnostic)
Range
most spp. in semiarid regions of Eurasia and Africa; those found indoors are cosmopolitan
(2)
the species not yet in the guide are mostly western and recently described:
A. omoi Beal 1998 (AZ)
A. pulaskii Kadej 2011 (CA)
A. umbra Beal 1998 (AZ)
A. chiton Beal 1998 (CA‒TX)
A. fucosus Beal 1998 (AZ)
A. blanci Beal 1998 (BC‒CA)
Habitat
In the wild, abandoned nests of birds/mammals or old wasp nests; some spp. are common household pests. Adults frequent flowers.
Season
Adults mainly occur in spring (year round indoors)
Food
larvae scavenge on accumulated fur, feathers, skin flakes, dead insects, etc. keratine- or chitin-rich materials; adults feed on pollen on flowers
Typical materials consumed indoors include dry pet food, wool/fur articles, hair and skin flakes shed by people/pets and accumulated in the corners
Remarks
larvae may cause considerable damage on wool, fur, feathers, and natural history collections.
Control can be achieved by keeping your home free of accumulated hair and dust (dust is mostly shed skin flakes of people and pets), discarding infested items and properly storing vulnerable items. Store dry foods in glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Store woolens, furs, silks in cedar chests. Mothballs and moth crystals are ineffective or carcinogenic.
See Also
Anthrenocerus australis (Australian Carpet Beetle) is similar, but dorsum with hairs rather than scales
(4); even more destructive on wool
