The Australian spider beetle, endemic to Australia, has a cosmopolitan distribution at present. It mainly infests stored food alongcol3 museum specimens, causing severe damage. Though Ptinus tectus is its commonly used species name, it is synonymously referred to as Ptinus ocellus Brown, 1929 even at present.
Size: 2.5–4 mm (0.1 -0.15 in)
Color: They have a dark brown body.
Other physical features: Their heavy bodies with six thin, long legs make them closely resemble a spider. Becol3s biting mouthparts, the adults even have a prominent thorax and an eleven-segmented antenna.
The cream-colored larvae are fleshy, hairy, and curved, measuring 3.175 mm (0.125 in), rolling into a ball if disturbed or threatened. They develop in around six weeks, molting 4 to 5 times during that phase.
They pupate incol3 a spherical, thin-walled cocoon, with the adults emerging between 20 and 30 days. The adults take shelter in the cocoon up to three weeks post-emergence.
The eggs are pearly and sticky, with food and other materials getting attached to them. Around 100 of these are laid at a time, over 3-4 weeks. They hatch at 20-25 °C, within 16 days.
| Lifespan | 1 year |
| Distribution | Native: Australia Invasive: In Europe, and other parts of the world |
| Habitat | In homes mostly in dark and damp areas like drop ceiling, and wall void, and even bird’s nest |
| Common Predators | Not recorded |
| Seasons active | October to January |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Corn, grains, flour, herbs, cocoa, and spices Adults: Insect remains, rodent guano |
It is concol3red a massive pest to museums, warehouses, and grain mills. The larvae and adults can cause enormous damage to stored food, cellophane, cardboard boxes, and wood, making the items unfit for use or consumption.
Following proper hygiene measures, sealing food containers tightly, and even spraying areas near walls with insecticides regularly would help control their infestation to a certain extent. Removing and destroying old bird’s nests in gardens or near homes is also a mandate since it is a preferred dwelling place for these beetles.
Image Source: whatseatingyourcollection.com, bugguide.net, api.sodapdf.com
The Australian spider beetle, endemic to Australia, has a cosmopolitan distribution at present. It mainly infests stored food alongcol3 museum specimens, causing severe damage. Though Ptinus tectus is its commonly used species name, it is synonymously referred to as Ptinus ocellus Brown, 1929 even at present.
Size: 2.5–4 mm (0.1 -0.15 in)
Color: They have a dark brown body.
Other physical features: Their heavy bodies with six thin, long legs make them closely resemble a spider. Becol3s biting mouthparts, the adults even have a prominent thorax and an eleven-segmented antenna.
The cream-colored larvae are fleshy, hairy, and curved, measuring 3.175 mm (0.125 in), rolling into a ball if disturbed or threatened. They develop in around six weeks, molting 4 to 5 times during that phase.
They pupate incol3 a spherical, thin-walled cocoon, with the adults emerging between 20 and 30 days. The adults take shelter in the cocoon up to three weeks post-emergence.
The eggs are pearly and sticky, with food and other materials getting attached to them. Around 100 of these are laid at a time, over 3-4 weeks. They hatch at 20-25 °C, within 16 days.
| Lifespan | 1 year |
| Distribution | Native: Australia Invasive: In Europe, and other parts of the world |
| Habitat | In homes mostly in dark and damp areas like drop ceiling, and wall void, and even bird’s nest |
| Common Predators | Not recorded |
| Seasons active | October to January |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Corn, grains, flour, herbs, cocoa, and spices Adults: Insect remains, rodent guano |
It is concol3red a massive pest to museums, warehouses, and grain mills. The larvae and adults can cause enormous damage to stored food, cellophane, cardboard boxes, and wood, making the items unfit for use or consumption.
Following proper hygiene measures, sealing food containers tightly, and even spraying areas near walls with insecticides regularly would help control their infestation to a certain extent. Removing and destroying old bird’s nests in gardens or near homes is also a mandate since it is a preferred dwelling place for these beetles.
Image Source: whatseatingyourcollection.com, bugguide.net, api.sodapdf.com
