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Checkered beetles (Cleridae)

Systematic position: Checkered beetles (family Cleridae) belong to the order Coleoptera. This family is widely distributed globally, consisting of thousands of species. While many species are predaceous and beneficial in forests or fields, a subset of the family has adapted to infesting stored agricultural products.

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Ant beetle Thanasimus formicarius Ant beetle Thanasimus Bee beetle Trichodes alvearius Bee beetle Trichodes apiarius Blue-legged clerid Korynetes caeruleus Chariessa Chariessa Chariessa pilosa Chariessa pilosa Checkered beetle Enoclerus Checkered beetle Tillus Checkered beetles Trichodes Clerid beetle Opilo Cypress checkered beetle Enoclerus cupressi Denops Denops Denops canariensis Denops canariensis Domestic checkered beetle Opilo domesticus Dubius checkered beetle Thanasimus dubius Enoclerus ichneumoneus Enoclerus ichneumoneus Enoclerus lunatus Enoclerus lunatus Enoclerus signatus Enoclerus signatus Four-spotted checkered beetle Enoclerus quadrisignatus Korynetes Korynetes LeConte's clerid Enoclerus lecontei Necrobia Necrobia Ornate checkered beetle Trichodes ornatus Red-bellied clerid Enoclerus sphegeus Red-legged ham beetle Necrobia rufipes Red-legged ham beetle Necrobia violacea Red-legged ham beetle Thanasimus rufipes Red-shouldered ham beetle Necrobia ruficollis Tarsostenus Tarsostenus Tarsostenus univittatus Tarsostenus univittatus Thaneroclerus Thaneroclerus Thaneroclerus buqueti Thaneroclerus buqueti Tillus elongatus Tillus elongatus White-banded clerid Denops albofasciatus

Checkered beetles (Cleridae)

Affected crops: In an agricultural storage environment, these beetles primarily infest grains, flour, dried fruits, cured meats, and animal-derived products like leather or furs. They are opportunistic pests that thrive in locations where food sources are poorly managed or storage conditions are unsanitary.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle consists of egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Females lay eggs in crevices of storage structures or near food sources. Larvae are typically active and possess strong mandibles, which they use to bore into food commodities to feed. The developmental speed is highly dependent on ambient temperature and relative humidity.

Damage and economic impact: Damage is caused by both adults and larvae as they tunnel through stored products. This feeding activity results in significant weight loss of the stored goods, quality degradation, and contamination with frass and shed larval skins. Contaminated batches often become unsellable or unsuitable for processing.

Management and control: Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for controlling checkered beetles. Key strategies include:

  • Regular cleaning of storage facilities.
  • Maintaining low-moisture levels in stored commodities.
  • Using physical barriers and airtight storage containers.
  • Application of approved insecticides or fumigants in case of severe infestations.
Proper monitoring through regular inspections is the most effective way to prevent large-scale outbreaks.