General Characteristics:
- Colouration is reddish-brown
- Adult size is from 3-4mm
- Females live for about two years and males survive about three years
- Geographic range is worldwide
- Often confused with the ‘Red Flour Beetle’, but distinguishable by its four segmented antennae versus the three segmented antennae of the Red Flour Beetle. In addition, The Confused Flour Beetle CANNOT FLY while the Red Flour Beetle is a strong flyer.
- Feeds on milled grains, cereals, beans, peas, nuts, spices, chocolate, drugs, herbarium and museum specimens, etc…
Reproduction:
- Females can lay 200–700 eggs in her lifetime
- Small white eggs are laid loosely in food and development takes 24-26 days
- Larvae can grow up to 8mm and are whitish-yellow in colour and marked with yellow bands
- Larvae feed on ground up material solely as they cannot penetrate hard surfaces
Signs of Infestation:
- Found in flour and feed mills, homes and bakeries
- Thrives in areas that are inaccessible for cleaning
- Trails in spilled product may be noticed (appear to be ‘confused’ about direction of travel as trails do not move in
straight lines)
- Adults excrete a malodorous secretion that renders food products unfit for human consumption
Control Techniques:
- Preventative sanitation is fundamental to controlling and hindering the development of this insect
- In commercial facilities, void areas, floors and equipment should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly to limit food and harbourage
- Insecticides may be used for existing infestations ACCORDING TO LABEL SPECIFICATIONS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS
- As temperature is vital to this species’ development (20-37 degrees Celsius is optimal), heat can be used as an effective method to eliminate existing populations
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
References:
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988. p. 215-216.
“Confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum (J. du Val)” (On-line).Canadian Grain Commission. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010 at http://grainscanada.gc.ca/storage-entrepose/pip-irp/cfb-tbf-eng.htm.
Disclaimer:
The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
(Back to top)
|
