Large flour beetle

Classification

Primary pest (mills); grain feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Acronym: TDE

Description

• Adults are dark brown and large in size (4.5 to 5.7 mm long, the largest of the Tribolium species)..
• As with other species of Tribolium, the eye on adults is divided; 2 eye facets wide at the narrowest point.
• Larvae are typical of the Tribolium, yellowish with dark bands, a dark head capsule and dark urogomphi.

Similar species

• Broadhorned flour beetle (Gnatocerus cornutus)
• Longheaded flour beetle (Latheticus oryzae)
• Other Tribolium species

Commodities affected

• Seeds, cereals, flour, stored grain, bran, dry bakery products, bird feed, dog food

Signs of infestation

• Disagreeable odour in the commodity is an early indication

Damage

• Are generalist feeders and damage is not readily attributable to this pest

How to control

• Control grain insect pests

Geographic range

• Is found in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America
• In Canada, it is found from coast to coast

Where found

• Is found in flour mills, bakeries, dwellings

Life history

• Females lay eggs randomly amongst the commodity.
• Large flour beetle is not tolerant of temperatures higher than 30^oC.