Tabakkäfer

The cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) is a small beetle in the family Ptinidae, widely regarded as one of the most economically significant stored-product pests globally. Originally described from tobacco, this cosmopolitan species infests a remarkably broad range of dried organic materials including tobacco products, spices, dried herbs, cereals, dried fruits, pet foods, pharmaceuticals, and even book bindings. The adult beetle is 2–4 mm long, uniformly reddish-brown, and broadly oval with a characteristic humped thorax. Its common name derives from its notorious infestations of cigarettes, cigars, and raw tobacco in warehouses and retail settings. Lasioderma serricorne is believed to have originated in tropical or subtropical Asia but has spread globally through international trade. Females lay eggs directly on or in stored products, and larvae develop through several instars before pupating within the food substrate. The species tolerates a wide range of temperatures and has high reproductive potential, making infestations difficult to control. It is not assessed by the IUCN, as it is a pest species of no conservation concern. Control strategies include heat treatment, cold storage, fumigation, and pheromone-based trapping. The species is a significant economic concern for the tobacco, spice, and food storage industries worldwide.