Redlegged Ham Beetle Facts & Information

What Orkin Does

Your local Orkin Pro™ is trained to help manage redlegged ham beetles and similar pests. Since every building is different, your Orkin Pro will design a unique program for your situation.

Orkin can provide the right solution to help keep redlegged ham beetles in their place — out of your business.

What do redlegged ham beetles look like?

Redlegged ham beetles are small insects with a distinctive appearance. They measure around 3-5 mm in length and have a metallic blue-green body with reddish-brown legs and antennae. Their elytra, or wing covers, are typically a glossy, iridescent blue.

What do redlegged ham beetles eat?

Redlegged ham beetles are often found on cured meats, cheese and dried fish, where they can cause significant damage by feeding on these products.

Where do redlegged ham beetles live?

Redlegged ham beetles are scavengers primarily found in commercial facilities handling pet foods and treats, cured meat products and some dried seed, nuts and fruits. These beetles are active and agile, capable of moving quickly to find food sources.

They are known to lay their eggs on or near these food products, and the larvae — which are voracious feeders — cause the most damage by burrowing into the food. The beetles are also attracted to carrion, making them common in both food storage areas and animal carcasses. This opportunistic feeding behavior can lead to significant economic losses in the food processing industry.

How do redlegged ham bettles reproduce?

Redlegged ham beetles reproduce by laying their eggs on or near suitable food sources, such as cured meats, cheese and dried fish. The larvae hatch within a few days and immediately begin feeding, undergoing several molts before pupating and emerging as adults.

What do redlegged ham beetle eggs look like?

Redlegged ham beetle eggs are white, oval and harder to see with the naked eye. They can be viewed on the infested product under a microscope.

How long do redlegged ham beetle eggs live?

Redlegged ham beetle eggs have a relatively short lifespan in terms of development, typically hatching within 4-8 days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. The eggs are laid in small clusters on or near a food source and once hatched, the larvae emerge and begin feeding, marking the next stage in the beetle's life cycle.

What do redlegged ham beetle larvae look like?

Redlegged ham beetle larvae are slender, elongated and off-white. They have a distinctive pair of sharp, curved spines at the rear end, which aid in their movement and defense.

What are the signs of redlegged ham beetle infestation?

Redlegged ham beetle infestations are often indicated by the presence of adult beetles and larvae on food products such as cured meats, cheese or dried fish. Visible damage to these products, such as burrowing holes and surface feeding, is a clear sign. Additionally, insect droppings and shed larval skins may be found near infested items. A distinctive foul odor can also accompany severe infestations.

More Information

Treating redlegged ham beetle infestations involves removing and discarding any contaminated food products immediately. Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the storage area, combined with sealing cracks and gaps to avoid re-entry, is essential to help prevent future infestations.

Other common names for redlegged ham beetle:

• Red-legged ham beetle

• Copra beetle

• Bacon beetle

• Paper worm

• Ham and meat destroyer

• Ham beetle

• Redlegged copra