Common Furniture Beetle
Anobium punctatum
This record describes Anobium punctatum (species). Recorded family: Ptinidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Size 3 to 4.5 mm. This all brown beetle has a pronotum resembling a monk's cowl. It has linear and punctuated striae and elytra that are very parallel-sided. Anobium beetles have a groove along the hind coxa that can accomodate the femur. It has a deep longitudinal impression at the rear of the metasternum which extends to the apical margin - a feature which distinguishes it from the very similar Anobium inexpectatum . Anobium inexpectatum - lacks the deep longitudinal impression at the rear of the metasternum. Now found mostly in the company of humans, where it has adapted very successfully to exploit human-created habitats such as old timber in buildings and furniture. Adults are most active in spring and summer. In the larval stage (known as woodworm) it bores into wood and feeds on it. Adults do not feed; they just reproduce. The female lays her eggs into cracks in wood or inside old exit holes, if available. This very common species is found throughout Britain, but is most common in the south and east.
Wikipedia reference for Anobium punctatum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_furniture_beetle.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Ptinidae (Death-watch and Spider Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Anobiinae
- Tribe
- Anobiini
- Genus
- Anobium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Now found mostly in the company of humans, where it has adapted very successfully to exploit human-created habitats such as old timber in buildings and furniture.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most active in spring and summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
In the larval stage (known as woodworm) it bores into wood and feeds on it. Adults do not feed; they just reproduce. The female lays her eggs into cracks in wood or inside old exit holes, if available.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This very common species is found throughout Britain, but is most common in the south and east.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Anobium punctatum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Furniture Beetle (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Furniture Beetle
What is Common Furniture Beetle?
Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum) is a species in the family Ptinidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Common Furniture Beetle?
3 to 4.5 mm. This all brown beetle has a pronotum resembling a monk's cowl. It has linear and punctuated striae and elytra that are very parallel-sided.
Where is Common Furniture Beetle found?
Habitat: Now found mostly in the company of humans, where it has adapted very successfully to exploit human-created habitats such as old timber in buildings and furniture.
When is Common Furniture Beetle active?
Common Furniture Beetle: seasonal activity - Adults are most active in spring and summer..
What is the life cycle of a Common Furniture Beetle?
In the larval stage (known as woodworm) it bores into wood and feeds on it. Adults do not feed; they just reproduce. The female lays her eggs into cracks in wood or inside old exit holes, if available.