This species of beetle belongs to the Tenebrionidae family, also known as the darkling beetle, is the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). In addition to being a model organism for ethological and food safety studies, it is a global pest of stored items, most notably cereal grains. Despite neither biting or stinging, these beetles have eating mouthparts. The red flour beetle does not feed on or harm the construction of a house or piece of furniture, but it may cause an allergic reaction. It is also not known to carry disease. One of the most important pests of stored goods in homes and grocery shops of stored goods are these insects.
Physical Appearance
- The antennae of the red flour beetle have three segments and are reddish-brown in hue.
- Small adult beetles measure 3–4 mm (1/8 inch) in length and have a consistent shade of rust, brown, or black. Sometimes the pronotum and head are darker than the rest of the body.
- The red flour beetle’s head lacks a beak and is visible from above.
- It has slightly curved edges on the thorax.
Diet
Red flour beetles prey on grains that have been kept, including cereals, flour, meal, beans, crackers, spices, cake mix, pasta, dry pet food, chocolate, dried flowers, seeds, nuts and even dried museum artifacts.
Life Cycle
In particular before a storm, the red flour beetle may fly. The eggs are white, little, and frequently contain flour particles stuck to their surface. The slim larvae range in color from creamy yellow to pale brown. The last body part of them has two black, pointy projections.
Warm climates enable these insects to reproduce all year long. The adult can survive for three years, and the life cycle lasts between 40 and 90 days. Infested grain products may contain all stages of the life cycle at once.
Geographic Location
The red flour beetle is an Indo-Australian species that is native to temperate regions (Smith and Whitman). It may survive the winter in well-protected habitats, particularly those with central heating.
Lifespan
The adult has a long lifespan, occasionally exceeding three years.
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