Anobiidae (biscuit beetles, drugstore beetles, furniture beetles, tobacco beetles)

Family: Anobiidae (biscuit beetles, drugstore beetles, furniture beetles, tobacco beetles)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Coleoptera (beetles) > Polyphaga > Superfamily: Bostrychoidea

Small brown, cylindrical or ovoid beetles (2-6mm) covered with fine setae (hairs). Larvae of most of the species bore into wood but some cosmopolitan species infest household goods. Anobium punctatum (Furniture beetle) is a serious pest of furniture and untreated timber but most damage occurs in the coastal areas. Their presence become apparent when small piles of dust collect around small round holes in wood or furniture. Stegobium paniceum (Drugstore beetle, Biscuit beetle) is a pest of grocery cupboard. They regularly infest any dry food of vegetable origin, even curry powder.

Anobium punctatum. Image by D. Pinniger

Stegobium paniceum. Image by H. Robertson

Subfamily: Anobiinae

Anobium punctatum (Furniture beetle), 2mm. The furniture beetle is a serious pest of dry, untreated wood, especially in coastal regions. Infestation can be identified when small holes and small piles of dust can be seen in and next to wood. [image by David Pinniger ©, used with permission]

Subfamily: Anobiinae