![Museum pests under a microscope](/imagecache/549a176c-d73e-4e35-9306-ac2500f7f803_140x130.jpg)
There are a large number of insects that can cause damage in museum and archive collections (and in homes too), but how do you identify them? and, how do you monitor them?
Identifying issues early can reduce the risk of collections being damaged, preventing major infestation and expensive and disruptive treatments. Taking a close-up look at traps with a magnifier or a microscope can help with identification, if you know what you're looking for. Here is a quick guide to common museum pests and the traps you need to monitor for them.
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Pest beetles can decimate collections and should be monitored to prevent damage.
Insect Name |
What insect trap do I need? |
What does it look like? |
Brown Carpet Beetle (AKA Vodka Beetle)
Attagenus smirnovi
The larvae eat wool, fur, feathers, silk and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Larvae: up to 8mm
Adult: Up to 5mm |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap 975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/browncarpetbeetle300.jpg)
|
Varied carpet beetle
Anthrenus verbasci
The larvae eat wool, hair, fur, feathers , silk and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum. Will also feed on soiled linen, cotton and rayon.
Larvae: Up to 7mm
Adult: Up to 7mm |
975-0338 - Fabric insect trap 975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/variedcarpetbeetleandlarvae300.jpg)
|
Two Spot Carpet Beetle
Attagenus pellio
Larvae attackwool, fur, feathers and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Larvae are identical to the brown carpet beetle larvae.
Larvae: Up to 10mm
|
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
|
Larder Beetle
Dermestes lardarius
Larvae sometimes attack bone, damp wool, fur, feathers and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Adult: Up to 9mm Larvae: 10-14mm Brown with some bands and hairs protruding perpendicular along whole length |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
|
Australian Spider Beetle
Ptinus tectus
Larvae eat dried food and plant material. |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
975-0676 - Crawling Beetle Traps
|
![](/public/images/australianspiderbeetle300.jpg)
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Biscuit Beetle (AKA drugstore beetle)
Stegobium paniceum
Larvae eat dried food, plant material and freeze dried animals. Can attack books, upholstery.
Larvae: up to 5mm
Adult: up to 3mm |
975-0676 - Crawling Beetle Traps
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/biscuitbeetle300.jpg)
|
Tobacco Beetle (Cigarette Beetle)
Lasioderma serricorne
Larvae eat dried food, plant material and freeze dried animals. Will also attack book bindings and some natural upholstery materials.
Larvae: up to 5mm (white with long hairs)
Adult: up to 3mm
|
975-0676 - Crawling Beetle Traps
975-0154 - Tobacco Beetle Trap
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/tobaccobeetle300.jpg)
|
Deathwatch Beetle
Xestobium rufovillosum
Larvae old wood which is damp, usually with fungal growth.
Adult: 4-6mm |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/deathwatchbeetle300.jpg)
|
Wood Weevils
Pentarthrum huttoni and Euophryum confine
Larvae only attack damp wood, or wood that has previously been damp and subject to fungal growth damage.
Adults: up to 3.2mm |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap |
![](/public/images/wood-weevil300.jpg)
|
Furniture Beetle (Woodworm)
Anobium punctatum
Larvae attack older dry sapwood of both hard and softwood. Larvae: up to 5mm C shaped, 3 pairs of legs
Adult: up to 9mm |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap |
![](/public/images/furniture-beetle300.jpg)
|
Fungus Beetle
Mycetophagidae
Eat mould. Indicators of damp conditions.
|
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap |
![](/public/images/fungusbeetle.jpg)
|
> | View Microscopes Here | > | View All Pest Traps Here
Pest moths can decimate textile collections
and should be monitored to prevent damage.
Insect Name |
What insect trap do I need? |
What does it look like? |
Webbing Clothes Moth
Tineola Bisselliella
The larvae eat wool, hair, fur, feathers, silk and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum
Larvae: White with brown head, up to 11mm.
Adults: White up to 11mm. |
975-0030 - Black and white moth trap
975-0338 - Fabric insect trap
975-1055 - Demi Diamond Moth Trap |
![](/public/images/webbingclothesmoth300.jpg)
|
Case-bearing clothes moth
Tinea pellionella
The larvae eat wool, hair, fur, feathers, silk and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Adult: Approx 10mm
|
975-0338 - Fabric insect trap |
![](/public/images/casebearingclothesmoth300.jpg)
|
Brown house moth
Hofmannophila pseudospretella
Larvae sometimes attack book bindings, cork, damp wool, fur, feathers and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Larvae: Up to 19mm
Adult: up to 15mm |
975-0338 - Fabric insect trap
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/brownhousemoth300.jpg)
|
White shouldered house moth
Endrosis sarcitrella
Larvae sometimes attack cork, seeds, damp wool, fur, feathers and skins such as leather and parchment/vellum.
Larvae: up to 12mm
Adult: up to 10mm |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/whiteshoulderedhousemoth300.jpg)
|
Indian meal moth
Plodia interpunctella
Larvae eat dried foods such as cereals and nuts. |
975-1163 - Sticky insect detector trap
975-0012 - PELtrap
|
![](/public/images/Indianmealmoth300.jpg)
|
> | View Microscopes Here | > | View All Pest Traps Here
> | View All insect traps here
Here's our pest identification and monitoring webinar for an overview of common museum pests.
Read our blog on pest prevention here >>