Insect of the Month: Confused Flour Beetle (Tribolium confusum)
Heavy infestations of flour by confused flour beetles may cause the product to turn greyish or mold prematurely. This insect can also give a citronella-like smell and taste from its scent glands to the material infested.
They are primarily pests of flour, but also feed on processed beans, nuts, spices, chocolate, and pharmaceuticals. Both adults and larvae cause damage.
What do confused flour beetles look like?
Confused Flour Beetle Adults: These small beetles are reddish brown, and about 3.5 mm (0.15 inches) long. Confused flour beetles can be differentiated for red flour beetles by the last four segments of the antennae.
They are gradually enlarged towards the tip. On Red Flour Beetles, the last three segments of the antennae are abruptly enlarged to form a club. Adults of this species do not fly.
Confused Flour Beetle Eggs: Oval, ivory in color and only visible under microscopic examination of flour products.
Confused Flour Beetle Larvae: The immature stage is approximately 4-5 mm (0.25 inches) long, white to yellowish in color, and wiry in appearance. The last abdominal segment ends with two prominent points.
Confused Flour Beetle Pupae: Pupal cases are white to yellowish in color and nearly the same size as adult beetles. The tip of the abdomen ends with two prominent points.
What is the confused flour beetle life cycle?
Female confused flour beetles will deposit 200-500 eggs in food during a 1-3 year life span.
Eggs hatch in 5-12 days, and the larvae can mature within 30 days in warmer months or as long as 120 days in cooler months.
Pheromone Traps for Confused Flour Beetles
Monitoring Guidelines for Confused Flour Beetle (Tribolium confusum)
Click on the image or insect name above to view monitoring guidelines for confused flour beetles. These guidelines include details on Description, Lifecycle, Damage and Detection, Corresponding Products, Fun Facts, and more!
Stay tuned
Next week we are going to be sharing a solution Insects Limited offers when dealing with confused flour beetles.
Related Insect and Pheromone Posts
Read more about insects and pheromones in these related posts:
Product of the Month - PTL Multi-Species Kit (IL-408-10)
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