Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of the drug store beetle, Stegobium paniceum (L.), a serious pest of old books

Abstract

Recently (January 2010), we have found that drugstore beetle, Stegobium paniceum (L.), is a serious pest of old books in a religious library in Cracow, Poland. About 80% old books were found more or less damaged by this pest. As the result of larval activity, many holes and tunnels were formed in damaged books. Some of them were old, some of them were new tunnels with live larvae and pupae. Many characteristic emergence holes of the adults were found in the book bindings. Around books there was an enormous amount of dust as a result of larval feeding activity. Live and dead adults were found around old books and within the library room, especially near windows. The Integrated Pest Management program was suggested to the owners and curator of the library to control infestation and to avoid the continuation of the damage.

Keywords

• drug store beetle, infestation, IPM, old books, Stegobium paniceum.