Vinotemp users: Your stogies may not be safe from impending beetle infestations!

[worr lord]

Sucks, but it seems to be true. I keep my Vinotemp at 57*-60*F, according to both its own thermometer, and a hygrometer/thermometer combo, and I just discovered a stick with a beetle hole in it. Luckily, the little bastard was huddled up dead in the corner of the box. Though the stogies from that box are currently in the fridge preparing for the deep freeze, I'm not too worried.

The cigar has been in the Vinotemp for 6+ months, so it definitely hatched while inside the supposed 60*F environment. Just a little heads up to Vinotemp users - it's possible that though it seems to be stable temperature wise, it may very well have wide thermal fluctuations....that, or I just encountered a new bread of Arctic tobacco beetle(s) >.<

[hova45]

I dont know what to tell you but the little buggers arent know to hatch in those temperatures, maybe it was in transit or before that. I havent had an issue and I have been inspecting but come on man the aristocrat coolers and vinotemps thats alot of work.

[worr lord]

Wait, what? I know they aren't supposed to hatch at those temperatures, that's why I posted a thread concerning potential thermal fluctuations in Vinotemps. I'd agree with you on the "hatching in transit" theory, had the cigar not been in the Vinotemp for roughly 6 months.

[webjunkie]

Don't some hygrometer/thermometer combos have the ability to keep track of max/min temp? Then you'd be able to tell if the temperature was varying.

[doctorcue]

It very well could have hatched in transit... yet I just feel that the risk is there no matter what. I think the best strategy is to keep all smokes in boxes sealed up tight. An outbreak could be contained to one box in that scenario.

[Tapewormboy]

Thanks for the information!

Would you mind sharing what country and/or brand of cigar it was that had the beetle?

[Puffin Fresh]

How long is the larva stage normally? Could have began hatching in transit, had a slightly longer larva period than normal due to it being slow and eating slow because of the temp, then it may have had a slow death during the adult phase due to the cooler temp. Just a thought.

[worr lord]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

How long is the larva stage normally? Could have began hatching in transit, had a slightly longer larva period than normal due to it being slow and eating slow because of the temp, then it may have had a slow death during the adult phase due to the cooler temp. Just a thought.

A good thought indeed. Maybe it's about time we got ourselves a resident anthropologist, haha.

[tfar]

What does an anthropologist have to do with cugar bugs?

Till

[kvm]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

How long is the larva stage normally? Could have began hatching in transit, had a slightly longer larva period than normal due to it being slow and eating slow because of the temp, then it may have had a slow death during the adult phase due to the cooler temp. Just a thought.

Egg: White in colour, 0.5 mm long, hatches in 6 to 10 days, viable for 35 days.

Larva: Starts white then grows brown hairs, 4 mm long, feeds for 5 to 10 weeks, subject to temperature.

Pupa: Brown in colour, 4 to 5 mm long, pupation lasts 2 to 3 weeks.

Adult Insect: Reddish brown colour, 2 to 3 mm long, hairy body, hump back, lives about a month.


The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports its entire growth cycle will occur, slowed but not stopped, at temperatures above 65 deg. F, assuming the humidity is above 40 percent.




Everything I've read tends to agree on the temp of 64 degrees as the point where they become dormant.