Larder Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors in pantries, kitchens, or near dead organic matter; outdoors in bird nests or animal carcasses

Diet & Feeding

High-protein animal products including cured meats, dried fish, pet food, cheese, feathers, and dead insects

Behavior Patterns

The larvae are active crawlers that seek out food sources; they often bore into hard materials like wood or insulation to create a pupal chamber

Risks & Benefits

Considered a significant household pest that ruins food stores and can cause minor structural damage during pupation; no direct health risk to humans, but can cause allergic reactions in some individuals due to tiny hairs (setae)

Identified on: 6/21/2026