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Biology & Life Cycle

Red legged ham beetle females lay from 400 to 2000 translucent eggs that are 1 mm in length onto exposed meat, cheese or a similar substrate. The elongate, purplish larvae bore into the food source and undergo several molts before growing their full size of 3/8 inch (10 mm). The fully grown larvae migrate out of the food source to find a dry site to pupate and can be found in cracks and between the folds of packaging. The life cycle can be completed in as little as 30 days – 17 days as a larva and 13 days in pupation. Adults are rather long-lived, surviving up to one year or longer, and several generations can be produced each year.

Both the larva and adult red legged ham beetles feed on and damage ,eat, but the larvae are responsible for most of the damage. Adults and larvae are also predaceous and voraciously attack cheese skipper, Piophila casei, which is commonly found infesting the same types of food products. Blow fly larvae are also attacked and eaten, and when large populations of this beetle develop, cannibalism helps keep the numbers down. Larvae and adults both avoid light and prefer to hide within the food product or under folds and flaps of packaging. This beetle also can be found in bales of cotton, rattan, woolen goods and salt, although it does not feed on or breed in these items. When disturbed, the adults may also emit a strong odor which is likely a repellent to protect it from predators.

Adult beetles are capable of slow flight but prefer to crawl and can move quickly. When large populations are allowed to develop in stored meats, cheeses, etc., adult beetles may migrate to adjacent areas or buildings by crawling or flying.

Two other species of Necrobia may be encountered but are seldom pests in buildings: the red shouldered ham beetle, N. ruficollis, and N. violacea. Both beetles feed primarily on the skin and bones of dead animals and on dead fish. The larvae of N.violacea may be beneficial as they feed on the larvae of hide beetles.
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