The common furniture beetle is a member of the family of Ptinidae beetles, first discovered by Swedish entomologist Baron Charles de Geer in 1774.
Size: 2.5 – 5 mm
Color: They have a dark brown appearance.
Other Characteristic Features: They have an ellipsoidal body, with their body being similar to the cowl of a monk.
The larvae are creamy-white and C-shaped. Initially 1mm long, they bore into the wood of the host plant and feed on the starch present in timber for about 3-4 years, growing up to 7mm.
When pupation begins, it will approach the surface of the wood and make a small hole. On average, 8 weeks are required for pupation.
Females will either lay their eggs in timber cracks or previous holes left behind after excavation.
| Other names | Common house borer, furniture beetle |
| Lifespan | Females: 10-14 days Males: 3-4 days |
| Distribution | Europe, New Zealand |
| Habitat | Forests with deciduous and coniferous trees; can also be found in houses, stores, and warehouses |
| Seasons active | Year-round |
| Host plants | Kahikatea, rimu, hawthorn, cypress, brooms, eucalyptus, pine, poplar, sallows, and giant sequoias |
| Diet of adults | Does not feed |
When the adult emerges from the timber, they leave behind a hole 1 – 1.5 mm long along with some dust, which is a telltale sign that an infestation has taken place.
Image Source: render.fineartamerica.com, lh3.googleusercontent.com, idtools.org, upload.wikimedia.org, thumbs.dreamstime.com, petercox.com
The common furniture beetle is a member of the family of Ptinidae beetles, first discovered by Swedish entomologist Baron Charles de Geer in 1774.
Size: 2.5 – 5 mm
Color: They have a dark brown appearance.
Other Characteristic Features: They have an ellipsoidal body, with their body being similar to the cowl of a monk.
The larvae are creamy-white and C-shaped. Initially 1mm long, they bore into the wood of the host plant and feed on the starch present in timber for about 3-4 years, growing up to 7mm.
When pupation begins, it will approach the surface of the wood and make a small hole. On average, 8 weeks are required for pupation.
Females will either lay their eggs in timber cracks or previous holes left behind after excavation.
| Other names | Common house borer, furniture beetle |
| Lifespan | Females: 10-14 days Males: 3-4 days |
| Distribution | Europe, New Zealand |
| Habitat | Forests with deciduous and coniferous trees; can also be found in houses, stores, and warehouses |
| Seasons active | Year-round |
| Host plants | Kahikatea, rimu, hawthorn, cypress, brooms, eucalyptus, pine, poplar, sallows, and giant sequoias |
| Diet of adults | Does not feed |
When the adult emerges from the timber, they leave behind a hole 1 – 1.5 mm long along with some dust, which is a telltale sign that an infestation has taken place.
Image Source: render.fineartamerica.com, lh3.googleusercontent.com, idtools.org, upload.wikimedia.org, thumbs.dreamstime.com, petercox.com
