Silken fungus beetles Atomaria
Scientific name
Atomaria spp.
Classification
Secondary pest; Fungus feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cryptophagidae
Acronym: CRY
Description
- Adults are small (2 to 3 mm long), oval shaped and flattened.
- Adults are light to dark brown and have fine hairs on the pronotum and elytra.
- Antennae have antennal insertions close together and are located on the frons, a characteristic useful for distinguishing from other species of Cryptophagidae.
- Larvae are cylindrical, flattened and yellow brown in colour.
- Larvae are active with the head, thoracic legs and urogomphi clearly visible.
Images
Similar species
- Spotted hairy fungus beetle (Mycetophagus quadriguttatus)
- Hairy fungus beetle (Typhaea stercorea)
- Other silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagus species)
Commodities affected
- Does not feed on commodity, but rather on associated fungi
- May infest cereal grains, wheat, barley, oats, bran, rice, flour, bread, dried fruit, mouldy plant and animal materials
Signs of infestation
- Mouldy, damp grain is often indicative of the presence of the beetles rather than the other way around
Damage
- Both adults and larvae feed on fungal spores and hyphae and do not cause direct damage to the commodity.
- Adults are capable of transmitting fungal spores and may promote excessive mold growth in storage.
How to control
Geographic range
- Is found across Canada
- Is one group of silken fungus beetles found across Canada
Where found
- Does not directly damage crop, but feeds on associated fungi indicating poor storage conditions
- Is found in granaries, warehouses, mills, cellars, houses
Life history
- Adults are long-lived and can fly.
- Females lay eggs singly on or among the fungal hyphae.
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