Attagenus fasciatus

Thunberg, 1795

Banded Black Carpet Beetle, Tobacco Seed Beetle, Wardrobe Beetle

Attagenus fasciatus is a carpet beetle in the Dermestidae, commonly known as the banded black carpet beetle, tobacco , or wardrobe . It occurs in North America, Oceania, Europe, and tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The is a significant pest of stored products, textiles, and animal materials, with larvae feeding on keratin-containing substrates.

Attagenus fasciatus by (c) Natural History Museum: Coleoptera Section, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Attagenus fasciatus by Caroline Harding, MAF. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Attagenus fasciatus larva by Caroline Harding, MAF. Used under a CC BY 3.0 au license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Attagenus fasciatus: //ˌætəˈdʒiːnəs ˌfæsiˈeɪtəs//

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Images

Habitat

Indoor environments associated with stored products, textiles, and animal-derived materials; also found in warehouses and insectariums where it can invade and proliferate

Distribution

North America, Oceania, Europe; widespread throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide; nearly

Diet

Keratin-containing materials including dried pupae and , feathers, fur, wool, and wheat feed; larvae feed on animal-origin substrates

Life Cycle

incubation: 12-16 days; 10-12 larval instars; total larval period 243-329 days depending on diet and conditions; total life-cycle 267-355 days; development highly temperature and humidity dependent, ranging from 26.5 days at optimal conditions (30°C, 75% RH) to 109.6 days at 20°C and 40% RH

Behavior

survive 4-7 days without food; larvae more cold-tolerant than adults, surviving -15°C for 7 days; adults survive 5 days at 45°C; development fails at 35°C and above; pupae show intermediate temperature

Ecological Role

Scavenger on animal materials; stored-product pest causing damage to grains, textiles, and animal products

Human Relevance

Economic pest of stored grain, wool, fur, feathers, and textiles; known to invade insectariums and collections; females lay 22-73 depending on environmental conditions

More Details

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Optimal development occurs at 25-30°C with 75-85% relative humidity. Temperature extremes significantly affect survival, development rate, and .

Invasion Risk

Documented to cause massive invasions in insectariums, particularly those housing Triatominae colonies, where it can outcompete or disrupt research colonies.