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Cigarette beetle

Cigarette beetle

Lasioderma serricorne

A species of Lasioderma, Also known as Cigar beetle

The cigarette beetle is also known as the tobacco beetle and can be found eating and destroying numerous stored products, like dried fruits, flours, and other dry mixes worldwide in homes and warehouses. They are called cigarette beetles as they are notorious for destroying stored tobacco products, in particular.

General Info About Cigarette beetle
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Attributes of Cigarette beetle
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Cigarette beetle is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
The Cigarette beetle can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Cigarette beetle feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Appearance of Cigarette beetle
Lasioderma serricorne is around 2 - 3 mm long, and brown in colour.
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How to Identify Cigarette beetle?

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Life Cycle of Cigarette beetle
Egg After oviposition, the cigarette beetle eggs are minute and challenging to spot. These eggs are laid in clusters and hatch depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
Larva Upon hatching, cigarette beetle larva is wormlike, pale, and without legs. During this phase, the larva moults several times, growing slightly with each moult. It is the main feeding stage, causing damage to organic materials.
Pupal After reaching a certain size, cigarette beetle larva develops into a pupa, usually within a cocoon. During this stationary phase, internal reorganization occurs, transforming the immature cigarette beetle into an adult. The pupa may darken over time.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult cigarette beetle’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The adult's body is hardened and pigmented, enabling flight and mating behaviors.
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Adult Size of Cigarette beetle
2 - 3 mm
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Predators of Cigarette beetle Larvae
Rodents, lizards, predaceous insects
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Predators of Adult Cigarette beetle
Birds, rodents, reptiles, larger insects
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Interesting Facts About Cigarette beetle
The larvae of cigarette beetle have a unique ability to bore into tobacco products, making them notorious pests in tobacco warehouses and personal collections.
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Scientific Classification of Cigarette beetle
Tips for Finding Cigarette beetle
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Youth Habitat of Cigarette beetle
Rotting and Decaying Matter
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Habitat Preferences of Cigarette beetle Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of cigarette beetle typically reside in dried plant materials, especially tobacco, where they tunnel and feed, which may include stored products and pantry items. Seeking the adults might require checking near the food sources where the larvae were found, as they tend to remain close after emerging. To find the pupal stage, inspection of the immediate environment where larval activity is evident becomes necessary, often amongst the product debris or in cracks nearby the larval habitat.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Cigarette beetle
The best time to find cigarette beetle is during its active periods, which are typically at night or in the early morning when temperatures are cooler.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Cigarette beetle
Humid and warmer weather conditions are more suitable for finding cigarette beetle, as they thrive in environments that support their development and breeding.
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How and Where Can You Find Cigarette beetle at Different Life Stages
Egg Cigarette beetle eggs are extremely small and difficult to see without magnification. They can be found in cracks and crevices of potential food sources. Use a magnifying glass and inspect potential breeding sites closely.
Larva Cigarette beetle larvae are creamy-white and C-shaped, and they bore into food materials to feed. Check damaged packaging and food sources for the presence of larvae, as well as for the fine powdery frass they leave behind.
Pupal Cigarette beetle pupae may be located within food sources or in secluded spots near infestation sites. Search for them by examining nearby cracks, crevices, and the immediate environment of known larvae-infested items.
Adult Cigarette beetle adults are small, brown beetles that can be found near infestation sources. Look for them by setting up light traps at night or inspecting potential entry points and harborages during their active periods.
Are Cigarette beetle harmful?
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Harmful Effects of Cigarette beetle
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Stored Produce Pest

Cigarette beetle may infest a variety of dry stored products, particularly tobacco. While larvae cause extensive damage as they feed and tunnel through substrates, adults are mainly nuisance pests but are capable of inflicting mild to severe damage. The presence of these pests can lead to economic losses, costly control measures, and compromised product quality.

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Hurt Plant

Cigarette beetle inflicts its damage during both larval and adult stages, affecting plant seeds and leaves. By chewing and boring through plant tissues primarily for feeding, it can lead to a range of impacts from mild to severe, depending on the infestation level.

More Effects of Cigarette beetle

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