Page 74 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

LESSER MEALWORM-BEETLE LESSER MEALWORM IN OATMEAL

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- have short hairs 6.Thorax- punctured-looking
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none LITTER BEETLE
3.Head- punctured with a groove 8.Abdomen- oval body 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- shiny black or dark brown (beetles) 6
5.Wings- covered 10.Other- larvae are creamy or
yellow-brown colored 1
Life Cycle
The female can lay several hundred to a few thousand eggs at a time in cracks,
crevices, litter, or manure. She will deposit eggs every one to five days, so 3 4
populations grow extremely rapidly. Larvae will hatch in 4-7 days, and go
through 6-11 instars over the next 40-100 days as they become adult beetles.
The adults live from three months up to two years. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

LESSER MEALWORM / LITTER BEETLE
Actual size 1/4”
The Lesser Mealworm is the larvae of the Litter Beetle. They move into housing areas from fields where
infested manure has been spread, attracted by the lights. Once inside, they will get into pantry products—
especially flour and other grain products. They will also infest seeds and nuts, tobacco, peas, and beans. They
thrive in warm, humid environments and are especially active at dusk and at night.
The Lesser Mealworm/Litter Beetle is a vector of many diseases and parasites, and is considered
dangerous for both humans and poultry that are exposed to an infestation. They are known to spread viruses,
diseases, flu, ulcers of the eye, intestinal lesions, allergies, and the vapors they produce are suspected as
carcinogens. Larvae and adults are found in manure, especially at poultry farms. They are also found in caves
(especially where bat droppings are present), bird nests, and rodent nests. The larvae will also feed on dead or
sick bats, birds, and even other mealworms.
The mealworms can cause structural damage at times, chewing holes in insulation, styrofoam, fiberglass,
and even wood. Populations can build up quickly, and so can the problems associated with these mealworms
and beetles.

1.Antenna- short & clubbed 6.Thorax WAREHOUSE GRAIN BEETLE
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- oblong 4 8
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- brownish black, yellow markings
5.Wings- under elytra 10.Other- voracious feeder, good flyer 1

Life Cycle
The female lays 5-60 eggs, which hatch in about two weeks. The lar-
vae immediately start eating, males go through at least five molts and
females six over the larval period of five months. The larvae pupates 3
in their larval skin for 11-17 days, and become adults, which start repro- 5
ducing three days after emerging.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
WAREHOUSE GRAIN BEETLE Actual size 1/8”
This beetle is a voracious feeder, infesting seeds, cereals, grains, spices, dog food, dead animals, cocoa, cook-
ies, candy, nuts, dried pasta, potato chips--a wide variety of organic products. It is about 1/8th inch in size, and
is brownish-black. It can be a serious problem in museums, and will even attack preserved insect collections. It
does best inside warm buildings.

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