Uv-phototaxis
Guides
Lasioderma serricorne
cigarette beetle, tobacco beetle, cigar beetle, paprika beetle, tow bug, tobacco borer, cheroot beetle
Lasioderma serricorne is a small stored-product pest beetle, 2–3 mm in length, with a cosmopolitan distribution resulting from human commerce. It is distinguished from similar anobiid beetles by its uniformly serrated antennae lacking a terminal club, flatter thorax profile, and smooth elytra without grooves. The species has a remarkably broad diet, infesting tobacco, cereals, dried fruits, spices, and herbarium specimens. It possesses a mutualistic relationship with yeast-like symbionts (Symbiotaphrina spp.) that assist in protein metabolism and enable survival on nutritionally poor substrates. Strong flight capability and attraction to UV light facilitate its spread and monitoring.
Stegobium paniceum
Drugstore Beetle, Bread Beetle, Biscuit Beetle
Stegobium paniceum, commonly known as the drugstore beetle or biscuit beetle, is a small stored-product pest that infests a wide variety of dried plant materials. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Stegobium. The beetle is notable for its ability to feed on toxic substances including strychnine, tobacco, and habanero peppers, and is a significant pest in homes, warehouses, museums, and the tobacco industry. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light and females emit sex pheromones that peak 3-4 days after emergence. The species harbors yeast-like symbionts (Symbiotaphrina) that provide nutritional supplementation.