Fur Beetle

Attagenus pellio

Appearance

•   Adult — 4–6 mm long. Elongate oval. One small patch of white on each wing case, otherwise red–brown to black.
•   Larva — 6 mm long. Long orange tufts of hair on the last abdominal segment.
•   Larvae have a banded appearance.
•   Pupa — formed in the last larval skin.

Lifecycle

•  Mating takes place outdoors after which they fly indoors to lay eggs. Normally one generation per year but development may extend to three years.

Habits

•  A common inhabitant of birds nests. Adults feed outdoors often on Spiraea plants.
•  Larvae attack furs, skins, woollens, etc. and stored grain.