House longhorn beetle

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Large woodworm
Hylotrupes bajulus

Dangerous, globally widespread conifer pest that can vary in color. While the adults do not feed, the danger comes from the larvae. These feed in the sapwood of construction timber: load-bearing or non-load-bearing construction parts in buildings (roof trusses!) as well as on outdoor timber. The larva leaves only a paper-thin outer layer intact, which makes it difficult to recognize an acute attack. Only oval flight holes of the young beetles are visible, some with serrated edges (Ø 3-4 x 5-10 mm). Larval galleries are oval in cross-section, filled with fine, powdery, loose bore meal mixed with cylindrical excrement particles, the walls of the galleries show the typical larval “ripple mark structure”. The female lays approx. 6-8 clutches with approx. 50 eggs in cracks or crevices (including those resulting from carpentry joints) as deep as possible in the wood with the aid of a flexible laying tube.

Colorful nail beetle

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Xestobium rutorillosum

Also known as the “multicolored beetle”. It is also popularly known as the death watch, because during the mating season the male beetle bangs its head on the wood to attract females. In old folklore, it was assumed that the inhabitant would soon die. The beetles grow to a length of 5 to 7 millimetres, making them the largest species native to Central Europe. Mostly lives together with destructive fungi in oak, more rarely in coniferous wood of correspondingly high humidity (e.g. if there is soil contact!). Screen-like perforations (up to 4 mm) with lamellar latewood remains. The damaging effect is similar to that of the common nail beetle. Irregular tunnels in the early wood, filled with solid, lenticular larval excrement mixed with nail meal.

Sapwood beetle

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Lyctus brunneus

The brown sapwood beetle (Lyctus brunneus) is a species in the family of boring beetles (Bostrichidae). It originates from tropical regions and is often found in timber import warehouses. It is now one of the most important and most common destroyers of dry wood and is widespread worldwide, as its larvae can develop at a wood moisture content of 7 to 16%. Eggs are laid in vessels (pores) and flight holes in wood (raw and sawn wood, veneers, furniture, etc.) with a rich starch or protein content. European softwoods, but also copper beech, are immune to this pest. After repeated infestation, the surface of the wood appears as if shot (Ø approx. 1 mm), otherwise it remains completely untouched as a paper-thin fine layer, while the wood inside is already completely destroyed. Differential diagnosis with nail beetles and sometimes wood boring beetles is difficult.

Bed bugs

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Cimex lectularius

Bedbug infestation is an unpleasant and annoying matter. They can be brought in unnoticed with your luggage from your vacation, and an acute infestation goes unnoticed at first. Adults are insensitive to the cold and can survive for up to 40 weeks without food. The nocturnal insects stay in dry, crevice-shaped hiding places during the day, e.g. between mattresses, sofa cushions and ventilation shafts. The bed bug is native to the north up to just over 65 degrees latitude. In the Alps it can be found up to almost 2000 m. They are largely tied to humans and the animals around them. They live in cities, sometimes in homes adjacent to the breeding grounds of feral pigeons. Bedbugs are bloodsuckers and feed on humans, pets, bats and birds. They use odorous substances to attract each other and form large congregations. The bedbug is approx. 5-8 mm long, strongly flattened, reddish-brown. After sucking blood, the animals are strongly thickened and red to black in color.

Common bacon beetle

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Dermestes Lardarius

The common bacon beetle is 7 to 9.5 millimetres long and has an elongated, oval, completely scaled body. They are found all over the world and are cultivated beetles. They can be found from the lowlands to high altitudes that are still inhabited by humans. They live almost exclusively in human settlements. The female lays 100-200 eggs on food materials and under favorable conditions up to 6 generations per year are produced. Beetles and larvae can temporarily tolerate low temperatures. An infestation is usually recognized by the hairy, lost larval skins. The gregarious larvae destroy hides and leather by scraping and pitting from the inside, occasionally also wool textiles. Damage is also caused by the larvae boring into goods such as tobacco bales, thread reels, cork, soft wood, asbestos, etc. to pupate.

Ball beetle

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Gibbium psylloides

The spherical beetle is only 2-3 mm long and looks like a drop of dark liquid. It has spread with humans all over the world. It is occasionally found in bakeries, factories and homes on all kinds of supplies of plant and animal origin such as cereals, spices, fish meal, dog food or dried fruit. Their presence in large quantities can lead to massive impairments in the quality of living. Food supplies are also infested and contaminated by residues. Damage can also be caused by nest-building activities, which can affect adjacent materials such as fabrics and paper. Both the larvae and the adult beetles feed on (mostly dry) animal and plant remains and fruits (especially cereals), but also on textiles, wool and dead, dried insects. Although the beetles can tolerate drought well, they prefer moist places. The beetles are mainly found in old buildings with dark, damp, enclosed building elements. They are particularly prevalent in older houses with wooden beam ceilings and cavity fillings. The clutches contain around 200 eggs.

Silverfish

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Lepisma saccharina

The silverfish belongs to an ancient group of insects. It is a wingless insect and has distinctive characteristics: a flattened body covered with silvery scales and a few delicate bristles, two long antennae and three tail appendages make the silverfish unmistakable. It measures 7-10 mm in length and is surprisingly agile. Development: The larvae develop over 14 stages within 3 years. The adults live for a further 2 years. They cause damage to paper, wood, various other carbohydrates, including glue and adhesives. It is widespread throughout the world, but in Central Europe it is tied to human dwellings.

Brass beetle

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Niptus hololeucus

The brass beetle owes its German name to its appearance: it is spherical, between 2.5 and 4.5 mm long, brown and covered with long golden-yellow hairs. The brass beetle is considered to be a pest of storage and materials. Dried plant parts such as straw or tobacco, grain, grain products, baked goods or dried fruit are attacked. It occurs in half-timbered houses and old buildings, where the species can reproduce in the plant filling material of false ceilings. The brass beetle can also cause damage by eating holes in various textiles. The female lays 20-30 eggs, from which the larvae hatch after 2-4 weeks. The duration of larval development depends on the temperature, type and quantity of food available. Normally only 1 generation per year, in well-heated rooms even two. Beetles are very agile, move around in the dark, shy of light and have a preference for moisture. During the day they hide in floor and ceiling cavities. In contrast to other beetle species, the fully developed animal is the main pest.

Woolly weevil

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Anthrenus Verbasci

The woolly flower beetle is 2-3.5 mm long, often very brightly colored and roundish to short-oval in shape. In spring and summer they are found feeding on pollen in flowers. The females fly into homes and warehouses to lay their eggs, where they lay 20 or more eggs individually on various materials. The hairy larvae hatch after just a few days. They are shy of light and often hide away from the feeding site behind skirting boards, cupboards and in other hiding places. The generation period is just under 1 year, whereby the beetles themselves only live for just under 2 weeks. They occur as creature feeders in homes and warehouses. Their importance as a wool pest is constantly increasing. The larvae prefer to feed on dry animal products of all kinds, such as wool fabrics and furs. Stuffed animals and insect collections can also be damaged.

Gray flesh fly

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Sarcophaga carnaria

The gray flesh fly measures 10-16 mm, is slender and the abdomen is checkered with light and dark gray spots. The larvae develop into adult flies in feces and on animal carcasses. Preys on protein-rich foods such as meat, cheese and fish. But also seeks out animal carcasses and excrement in the wild. The alternating stay on carrion, feces and food is not only unappetizing, but also makes this fly a carrier of harmful germs and a source of questionable contamination of food.