Description: About 2.5 mm in length, the adult beetles are oval and covered
with small hairs which give them a silky, yellowish-brown colour. Adults
are strong fliers and prefer subdued light and temperatures over 65 degrees
F.
Biology: The larval stages of the beetle can feed on a variety of stored
products including tobacco, grain, cereal products, ginger, raisins, dates,
pepper, dried fish, drugs, and seeds. The female produces about 100 eggs
and the entire life cycle can be completed in 45-50 days.Control: The first step in control of the tobacco and biscuit beetles is to find
the source of the infestation. This means inspecting all of the dried foods in
the infested cabinets or drawers. Once the infested material is found, it
should be destroyed. Insect Monitors are essential in commercial situations
to highlight infestations. Infested commodities can be treated (usually be
fumigation) or destroyed, whilst the building fabric can be treated with
residual insecticides.
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