Larder Beetle
 
Location:  Gull Lake, AB
Date: May 16,  2010
               
      Photo 2

Larder Beetle

Common Name:  Larder Beetle

Latin Name:  Dermestes lardarius Linnaeus, 1758
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Length: 6 - 10 mm

Range: Alberta

Habitat: Various

Time of year seen: Year round indoors and in the spring outdoors

Diet: Adults - flower pollen; Larva - food/items made from animal by products including: animal hides, dried meat, dry pet food, feathers and wool.

Other:  Of the Dermestid beetles found in Alberta, D. lardarius - the Larder Beetle is perhaps the one most commonly encountered.  This beetle species is native to Alberta and is considered a pest.  Adults are typically found in the springtime when they fly into houses in search of sources of animal protein to lay eggs on.  While the adults typically eat flower pollen, the larva are veracious consumers of  any animal based products including: animal hides, woolen items (ie carpets and clothing), dried and preserved meat, dry pet food, insect remains and feathers.  Outdoors the larva and adults maybe found on dried animal carcasses. The adults are attracted to light at night.  (www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/larder.htm. & White, 1983)

 
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