Things to watch out for when looking at the small mottled beetle, Himemarukatsuobushimushi.

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2019/08/23
Things to watch out for when looking at the small mottled beetle, Himemarukatsuobushimushi.

It often gathers on white flowers such as margaret and daisy, and white laundry such as sheets and futons. Himemarukatsuobushimushi . A small beetle featuring white and brown mottled patterns. It does not stab or bite humans and does not carry dangerous diseases. But this pretty Himemarukatsuobushimushi Please note that the damage is not cute. If you inadvertently put it in the room ... when you notice it, it may be that severe damage has spread.

What kind of insect is Himemarukatsuobushimushi?
Appearance, food habits, location of occurrence ... Ecology of larvae and adults is so different!

Himemarukatsuobushimushi I like bonito (bonito). That is why the name comes from. Bonito has long been considered auspicious and has been popular as a gift, but it seems that katsuobushimushi was also popular. But that doesn't stop there. Overseas where bonito is not widely distributed, it is famous as a pest that often adheres to carpets and clothing, and its occurrence area is very global. In Japan and abroad, food pests and clothing pests have two faces. Larvae and adults, completely different in appearance, feeding habits and location Himemarukatsuobushimushi Will be explained with images.

Katsuobushimushi's favorite
Katsuobushimushi's favorite
ヒメマルカツオブシムシの幼虫 (体長約4~5mm)
Larvae of the beetle
(Body length about 4-5mm)
ヒメマルカツオブシムシの成虫 (体長約2.5mm)
An adult of the beetle
(About 2.5mm long)

Photo courtesy of: Environmental Biology Department, Japan Environmental Health Center

Himemarukatsuobushimushi The last instar larva is about 4-5mm long. Slightly elongated daruma type, covered with short hairs. The tail has a long bundle of hair called spear-shaped hair, and when stimulated, spread the spear-like hair and threaten it. Do not touch it with bare hands. Caterpillar hair is not poisonous, but stings Ants Is so sharp that it loses its life. The larvae have a wide range of food habits, and in addition to dried bonito, dried animal foods such as dried chicken, clothing made of wool and silk, and fur, are troublesome insects. Larval period is about 300 days. Overwinters with larvae, usually grows by repeating molting 7 to 9 times, and pupates in the next spring, March to April. Therefore, if the larva was damaged, there should have been a dropout near the perforated clothing. Use insect repellents to prevent puncturing of clothes in the closet or closet.

Adults are about 2.5mm long. A small beetle featuring white and brown mottled patterns. Unlike larvae, Himemarukatsuobushimushi The adult looks very cute. Adults do not puncture clothes and do no harm. The nectar of the adult is nectar and pollen of flowers. They tend to prefer pale pinks, yellows, and white flowers, rather than distinct red or black colors. I especially like asteraceae such as margaret, shasta daisy, halgeon, himejion (himemeion) and north pole (chrysanthem), so if you see these flowers you should observe them. It is easy to get on white flowers other than Asteraceae, such as white tulips and kodemari. Himemarukatsuobushimushi May be surprisingly familiar to home gardeners and gardeners. The adult emerges mainly from May to June and has a lifespan of about 30 to 50 days. In the meantime, they lay about 30 to 70 eggs.

Where does the HimeMarkatsuobushimushi come from?
Main sources and periods when damage is likely to occur.

Somehow in the house without growing white flowers or decorating indoors Himemarukatsuobushimushi If you find it, you may have entered it when you take in the laundry that is drying in your garden or veranda. Himemarukatsuobushimushi Adults are attracted to white, so they are easy to attach to houses with white outer walls, and are easy to gather on whitish laundry such as futons, sheets, bath towels and shirts. Also, when you go out with a white shirt or one-piece, you may get out of your clothes without knowing it. When you take in your laundry or go home, Stink bug not only Himemarukatsuobushimushi Be sure to check carefully for signs before entering the room.

Check the laundry for insects
Check the laundry for insects

Himemarukatsuobushimushi The period when it is easy to invite adults to the house is from May to June. Adults with flying power fly actively on sunny days when the temperature is 15 ° C or higher. It is particularly common during the bright hours from 10 am to 3 pm. Adults like bright places, but larvae prefer dark places. Instead of laying eggs on smooth parts like glass, they lay eggs on clothes made of plump materials that are stored in dimly lit places, and adults again travel outside. Eggs are milky white and less than 1mm in size, so finding eggs after they have been laid can be a daunting task. It is important not to enter the house.

Introducing the Shitenno, the clothing pest world!
What is more likely to occur besides Himemarukatsuobushimushi?

Drilling holes in your cherished clothes Himemarukatsuobushimushi Not just larvae. The ecology of clothing pests that are likely to occur is also introduced with images. If you find it in your house, especially near the closet, get rid of it immediately.

  • Himekasobushimushi

The larva is a slender caterpillar with a length of about 7 to 10 mm, and the adult is a black beetle with a length of about 3.5 to 4.5 mm. Himemarukatsuobushimushi Although it looks a little plain compared to, the food habits, damage, appearance period and location are very similar.

ヒメカツオブシムシの幼虫(体長約7~10mm)
Caterpillar larva
(About 7-10mm long)
ヒメカツオブシムシの成虫(体長約3.5~4.5mm)
Adult turtle
(3.5-4.5mm long)
  • Iga

Because moth is attached to clothing, Clothing moth This insect called ". Larvae are caterpillars with a length of about 5-6 mm. They make a cylindrical nest using the cut fibers and move while hiding in them. Iga Is a very gourmet clothing pest, prefers animal fiber, and loves clothes made of premium materials such as cashmere. If wool and cashmere clothes are stored in the same drawer, the cashmere often has holes. Also, if you miss a part of your clothing, that part will be mainly attacked. Adults are small moths with a body length of about 4 mm, and their body color is gray-brown or silver-brown. The spawning season is mainly from May to September, and spawning also concentrates at this time.

イガの幼虫(体長約5~6mm)
Iga larva
(Body length about 5-6mm)
イガの成虫(体長約5mm)
Adult Iga
(About 5mm long)
  • Koiga

small Clothing moth It is often thought to be the name "koiga", Iga A moth of the family Hirozidae, one size larger than that. Larva is about 6mm long and adult is about 5-7mm long. Male adults can fly, but female adults have poor flight power and cannot fly well. If you find a glowing brown moth that crawls, get rid of it before spawning. Iga Compared with, the food quality is wider and it occurs on dry ingredients such as brown rice, wheat, and bonito, so be careful of food damage.

コイガの幼虫(体長約6mm)
Larva of moth
(About 6mm long)
コイガの成虫(体長約5~7mm)
Adult moth moth
(About 5-7mm long)

Prevention and control of clothing pests.
What are the recommended extermination methods for larvae and adults?

Recommended measures for clothing pests
  • Check for insects before decorating white flowers in the room
  • Be careful when taking in laundry
  • Store dried foods in closed containers
  • Laundry and cleaning before leaving clothes
  • Store clothing in a cool place below 10 ° C
  • Insect repellent for clothing is used to control larvae
  • Direct spray of an aerosol for discomfort pests to control adults

Himemarukatsuobushimushi Don't be fooled by its pretty look. Katsuobushimushi and Iga that can invade even through a small gap. First, be careful not to enter the house, and take measures to prevent insects from making holes in your clothes if they do.

クローゼット用・引き出し用・衣装ケース用、場所に合わせて防虫対策

As the living environment has improved, awareness of insect repellent may be fading. However, Himemarukatsuobushimushi The larvae of clothing pests, including larvae, ingest both plant matter and animal matter, so they are unnoticed. In addition, due to the widespread use of air conditioning, rooms that are easy to spend both summer and winter are in an environment where insects can easily breed. It's too late to regret your important clothes and kimono after they have a hole, so be sure to take thorough measures before that.

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