What's going on I hear someone
say, the picture above is virtually the same as the Khapra
Beetle and you would be correct because: Adults of warehouse
and khapra beetle can only be distinguished by dissection
of the genitalia (sounds painful) or by DNA methods. Adult
warehouse beetles can live for up to 100 days, although average
longevity is between 9 to 50 days depending on environmental
conditions.
Larvae of both Khapra and Warehouse Beetles are
similar in appearance and can only be separated by expert
dissection of the mouthparts. Larvae of both species are
approximately 7 mm in length and both have characteristic
tufts of body hair. The colour of the larvae changes from
yellow-white of the first instars (an instar is that form
the insect takes at that point in development) darkening
to red-brown of the final instar. Larvae of both species
can enter diapause (suspended development) triggered by unfavourable
environmental conditions such as low temperatures, crowding
and starvation. Larvae entering diapause will usually seek
out crevices for protection and can remain in diapause for
several years. The survival of larvae through diapause makes
eradication very difficult.
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