Attagenus brunneus

Faldermann, 1835

carpet beetle

Attagenus brunneus is a small in the , measuring 2.9–5 mm as an . It is a detritivorous to North America that has become an in Europe, where it has been documented in buildings in Belarus. The species feeds on stored food products and materials of and animal origin.

Attagenus brunneus by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.Attagenus brunneus by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.Attagenus brunneus 290735061 by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Attagenus brunneus: //ˌætəˈdʒɛnəs ˈbrʌniəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Could be confused with Attagenus unicolor and Attagenus schaefferi. Distinguished from Anthrenus by its more oval body shape and uniform dark coloration rather than round body with or spots of , black, and .

Images

Appearance

are 2.9–5 mm in length. As a member of the Attagenus, adults are more oval and uniformly dark in coloration compared to the rounder, patterned Anthrenus . are tapered from to back with a bundle of long hairs extending from the rear end; at maturity, larvae reach approximately 9.5–12.7 mm excluding the tail hairs.

Habitat

Primarily found indoors in buildings in its European range. In North America, occurs in environments where dried materials accumulate.

Distribution

to North America. in Europe, with confirmed records from Belarus and noted as present in Europe generally.

Diet

Detritivorous. feed on dried animal products including shed hair and skin , wool, , fur, animal hides, and dead . Also consumes dried matter including cereals and grains. feed on flower pollen.

Life Cycle

with , , , and stages. Larval stage is the destructive feeding phase.

Human Relevance

Considered a dangerous pest of stored food products and materials of and animal origin. Larval hairs can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals, sometimes misdiagnosed as bites. require thorough cleaning, discarding infested items, and controlling moisture and food sources.

Similar Taxa

  • Attagenus unicolorSimilar size, shape, and dark coloration; requires careful examination to distinguish
  • Attagenus schaefferiOverlapping and preferences in the Attagenus
  • Anthrenus spp.Both are in , but Anthrenus are rounder with patterned coloration ( or spots) while Attagenus are more oval and uniformly dark

More Details

Invasive Status

Documented as a new in Belarus in 2024, representing range expansion beyond its North distribution. The is established in buildings in Europe.

Sources and further reading