Beetle(s)

[DoubleDD]

I recently received a few cigars. Upon inspection I noticed this:

Which upon tapping the foot gently produced this:

So I decided to use a crafting knife to open up the cigar. I didn't think smoking it would have been a smart choice due to believing this was the product of the dreaded tobacco beetle.

Upon removing the wrapper the canal that the intruder created could be clearly seen:

I was able to remove the skeleton(s) of one, possibly two insects. They were dried out and I do not have a microscope to determine if it is two indefinitely. As you can see from the pictures, I could not zoom in to get a clear picture to determine either. Due to the fact they were so old and or dehydrated I cannot confirm the true identity. However, I do believe these to be deceased tobacco beetle(s) larva. They have a white-translucent body and brownish head.

I enhanced and edited certain pictures so you could clearly see the holes, canals, and skeletons. This is the first time I've experienced damage due to a beetle. This was detected upon arrival so the humidor is safe. This problem clearly solved itself before arrival and I'd imagine it happened several years ago since these are not coded within the last five years. I've experienced live beetles, and to be honest I'd rather deal with this version. Just a few images and info for you guys.

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[kennykong]

Thanks for posting! I found a hole in one of my VSG's and cut that bad boy open too. Of course, nothing turned up (that or i didn't look hard enough) but this is becoming a genuine concern!

[soutso]

Are we to assume these larvae likely died during the freezing process?

[DoubleDD]

To be honest, I can't say when this happened. The cigars were in storage by another individual prior to my purchase. Their lifespan was short due to them never reaching maturity and the fact that they didn't do much damage.

[CUBANO]

I feel your pain, that's why is important to freeze everything you buy. And make sure you freeze for for at least 5 days in your freezer. I froze the following cigar for 3 days and I still got beetles. Luckily the cigar was in a plastic bag.

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[maxcjs0101]

Holy crap! The amount of beetles!

[DoubleDD]

I feel your pain, that's why is important to freeze everything you buy. And make sure you freeze for for at least 5 days in your freezer. I froze the following cigar for 3 days and I still got beetles. Luckily the cigar was in a plastic bag.

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At what temp do you freeze? I'm at 0 F for three days. Was that a custom?

[CUBANO]

Holy crap! The amount of beetles!

If I remember correctly it was 32 beetles in one cigar

[CUBANO]

At what temp do you freeze? I'm at 0 F for three days. Was that a custom?

The lowest temperature I can go with my freezer is 4F.

The cigar was a NC I bought in Cabo.

[DoubleDD]

That's a horrific sight.

[Smallclub]

I feel your pain, that's why is important to freeze everything you buy.

More important is buying from safe places and knowing what to look for. I've never frozen a single cigar (of regular production) in my life.

Out of thousands cigars I've seen a few beetle holes, a few dead adults; the only living larva I saw in action was in the stock of a friend, not in mine.

[nick17]

I have only ever had one cigar with a beetle hole and it was discovered upon receiving a box and inspecting those that I noticed the hole I tossed the cigar and froze that one box for a few days haven't had any issues since. I also never freeze any boxes unless I have evidence of beetles. I believe (& correct me if I am wrong) the beetle eggs need the right temperature to hatch that temperature being above 75F so I have always tried to keep the temp below 70.

[peterk814]

man that is a dreaded nightmare.

Is it possible those beetles occured prior to you freezing?