ORDER: Coleoptera
FAMILY: Anobiidae
Size, Shape and Colour: The adult is approximately 3–4mm in length. The thorax is significantly humped hiding the head with distinctive 3 segmented club antennae, dark brown in colour. The larvae are creamy white in colour, and are curved in shape.
Biology: The females lay about 30 eggs in groups of 2-3 within the grain of wood, but will not lay in polished or painted surfaces. The eggs will hatch within in 2-4 weeks and the larvae develop over 2-4 years.
Preferred Foods: The larvae feed on the sapwood from the tunnels they create when boring through trees and timber, this provides an adequate source of food, the adults however do not feed they just reproduce.
Habitat: Widespread in temperate countries, commonly in Europe, including the UK. Normally found outdoors in dead tree trunks, branches, fence posts, outbuiding doors and windows but can also be discovered indoors in a variety of woods.
