Anthrenus fuscus

Description

The pattern of A. fuscus is quite distinctive. It is also smaller (up to 3 mm) and darker than the more common A. verbasci.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

During the summer months, the adult beetles are often found outside, feeding on pollen and nectar of plants - particularly of the Umbellifers and plants such as Lily of the Valley, or on window sills. After mating, the females can fly through open windows into buildings to lay eggs.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

Common egg laying sites are on material of animal origins such as wool carpets and clothing, animal furs etc. Damage is caused by the larvae (woolly bears) hatching from the eggs and feeding on the materials until fully grown when they pupate. The adults emerge from the pupal case in late spring or early summer and fly towards the outside to feed and mate. They are commonly found on windowsills in the summer as a result. The whole life cycle is normally completed in a year. 

UK Status

Common and widespread in England and Wales.

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 22 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Dermestidae
Records on NatureSpot:
9
First record:
16/06/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
02/05/2022 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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