About Typhaea stercorea (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult Typhaea stercorea, the hairy fungus beetle, measure 2.2–3.0 mm in length. They have an oval, flattened brown body, with hairy elytra marked by parallel lines of fine hairs. Their antennae have 3 segments, and their head is clearly visible from above; this feature distinguishes the species from many similar beetles. When kept at 25 °C with 80-90% relative humidity, development from egg to adult takes 21 to 33 days. The larvae are highly mobile, while adults are fast runners capable of strong flight. This is a generalist feeder that occurs in moldy or damp environments. Its presence in stored grain indicates poor storage conditions, and it is considered a minor pest of freshly harvested or slightly damp grain. Damage from this species, caused by feeding from both adults and larvae, is not distinctive. Stored products it feeds on include moldy cereals, tobacco, peanuts, and hay, and it also consumes fungi that grow on damp food. Remains of the species have been found in Iron Age grain storages. In temperate and tropical regions, the species can be found growing on ripening hay and grain crops before harvest.
