Insect of the Month: Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus unicolor)

Black Carpet Beetles are commonly found in processed foods such as, spices, biscuits, meal, four, seeds, and dog food, but can also attack horn, untreated hides, wool, hair, silk, and dead insects. The black carpet beetle is a common household pest.

Only larvae cause damage to plant or animal products or textiles. The presence of cast skins is usually apparent. Holes and frayed fibers in textiles also may be present.

What do black carpets look like?

Black Carpet Beetle Adults: Up to 4 mm (3/16 inches) long, dark brown to black. The last three antennal segments are slightly enlarged and form a sphere shape.
Black Carpet Beetle Eggs: Females lay 50-90 small, white eggs which hatch in 6-10 days. Eggs are deposited in concealed areas near larval food supply.

Black Carpet Beetle Larvae: Dark brown to reddish brown, up to 13mm (0.5") long, slender, hairy, with a distinct tail of long hairs at tip; three pairs of thoracic legs.

Black Carpet Beetle Pupae: Pupal cases are brownish with dark beetles inside the pupal chamber.

What is the black carpet beetle life cycle?

The female black carpet beetle will lay eggs in almost any dry organic substance. Larvae will feed off the food or fiber substance for about 9-20 months depending on the environment. The life cycle on average will be 11 months. Adults live for 30-60 days. One generation occurs per year depending on storage conditions.

Solutions for Monitoring Black Carpet Beetle

Black Carpet Beetle Bullet Lure (IL-134)

from $78.00

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Select Kit or Case Kit of 10 LuresCase of 100 Lures

Kit of 10 Lures Case of 100 Lures

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Black Carpet Beetle Flat Trap Kit (IL-130-10)

from $116.00

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Select Kit or Case Kit of 10Case of 100

Kit of 10 Case of 100

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All Beetle AA Carpet Beetle Kit (IL-2110)

from $131.50

Kit or Case:

Select Kit or Case Kit of 10 Traps and LuresCase of 100 Traps and 100 Lures

Kit of 10 Traps and Lures Case of 100 Traps and 100 Lures

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Monitoring Guidelines for Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus unicolor)

Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for black carpet beetles. These guideline include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!

Stay tuned

Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with black carpet beetles.

Related Insect and Pheromone Posts

Read more about insects and pheromones in these related posts:

Product of the Month - All Beetle AA Carpet Beetle Kit (IL-2110)

Insect of the Month: Cigarette Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne)

From Cuisine to Collections – Restaurant and Food Sales inside Museums Can Introduce Pest Insects into Collections

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Insects Limited, Inc. researches, tests, develops, manufactures and distributes pheromones and trapping systems for insects in a global marketplace. The highly qualified staff also can assist with consultation, areas of expert witness, training presentations and grant writing.

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