Bug Identifier
Spider Beetle
Community identification

Spider Beetle

Ptinidae (family)

Order & Family
Coleoptera: Ptinidae
Size
1 to 5 mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Dark, damp, undisturbed places such as basements, pantries, attics, and inside walls. They are often found in or near stored food products, animal nests, or other organic debris.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on a variety of dried organic materials, including stored grains, flour, spices, seeds, dried fruit, dead insects, and animal feces.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are typically nocturnal and slow-moving. They have long legs and a rounded body, giving them a spider-like appearance. When disturbed, they may pull in their legs and play dead. The larval stage is responsible for most of the feeding and damage.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a stored product pest. They contaminate food items with their bodies, feces, and silken webbing. They do not bite humans or transmit diseases, but their presence indicates an infestation and potential spoilage of food.