Dermestid beetles and some other insect pests associated with stored silkworm cocoons in India, including a world list of dermestid species found attacking this commodity

Abstract

A key for the identification of adult and mature larvae of nine species of Dermestidae (Coleoptera) found associated with the Indian silkworm industry is given. The species included are Dermestes ater De Geer, Dermestes leechi Kalik, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, Dermestes undulatus Brahm, Attagenus birmanicus Arrow, Attagenus fasciatus (Thunberg), Orphinus fulvipes (Guérin-Méneville), Trogoderma halsteadi Vijay Veer and Rao, and Anthrenus flavipes (Le Conte). Notes on the biology and distribution are given for all species and detailed morphological descriptions of adult and mature larval stages are presented for D. ater, D. leechi, Att. birmanicus and O. fulvipes. D. ater and Att. fasciatus and T. halsteadi are serious pests of silkworm cocoons which are damaged by larvae boring into them to feed on pupae. Some information is given on damage to silk fabrics. Att. birmanicus and O. fulvipes are recorded for the first time as minor pests of the silkworm industry in India. A world list of 28 dermestid species recorded in association with the silk industry is appended. In addition, brief notes are included on three other beetles, Alphitobius laevigatus (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae) and Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Cleridae), and an earwig, Marava arachidis (Yersin), which were also found associated with sericulture in India.