Red-winged carpet beetle

Systematic position. The red-winged carpet beetle (Attagenus rufipennis) belongs to the order Coleoptera, family Dermestidae. It is a significant pest of stored products, primarily found in warehouses, grain elevators, and food processing facilities, where it infests various organic materials of both plant and animal origin.

Affected crops. The larvae feed on a wide range of stored grains, including wheat, barley, corn, rice, and oats. In addition to grains, the pest is frequently discovered in flour, cereals, oilseeds, dried fruits, and products containing animal proteins, such as wool, fur, or even leather goods stored on site.

Biology and life cycle. The life cycle consists of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Adult beetles are elusive, while the larvae are characterized by dense hair covering and high resilience to low temperatures and low moisture conditions. Females typically deposit eggs directly into the substrate or in crevices, allowing larvae to begin feeding immediately upon hatching.

Damage and harmfulness. The primary economic damage is caused by the larvae, which hollow out the kernels of the grain, leaving behind only empty shells. This results in significant weight loss and severe contamination of the grain with frass and cast larval skins, rendering the product unsuitable for human consumption and significantly reducing seed viability.

Protection measures. Effective control requires an integrated pest management strategy:

• Rigorous sanitation to remove grain debris and dust from storage areas.
• Maintaining optimal moisture and temperature levels within the facility.
• Implementation of regular fumigation and professional pest control services.
• Deployment of pheromone-based traps to monitor and detect early signs of infestation.