Suitability of Semolina, Cracked Wheat and Cracked Maize as Feeding Commodities for Tribolium castaneum (Herbst; Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

In the current study it was investigated the suitability of semolina, cracked wheat and cracked maize as feeding commodities for the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The pest completed its development on all tested commodities. The developmental time of larvae was lower on cracked wheat (59.6 days) and cracked maize (54.6 days) compared to semolina (72.8 days). The developmental time of pupae did not differ significantly among tested commodities, ranging from 6.2 to 6.6 days. Female and male longevities were 70.9 and 77.1 days, 92.2 and 77.9 days and 177.0 and 183.7 days, when T. castaneum was fed on semolina, cracked wheat and cracked maize, respectively. The highest fecundity (28.7 eggs/female) was recorded when T. castaneum was fed on semolina, followed by cracked wheat (2.7 eggs/female) and cracked maize (1.2 eggs/female). The prolonged adult longevity, which was observed on cracked maize, may be attributed to the absence of the cost of reproduction, due to low fecundity on this commodity. The values of the intrinsic rate of increase were 0.014 and −0.021 females/female/day when it was fed on semolina and cracked wheat, respectively, while no demographic analysis was carried out for cracked maize due to high early larval mortality and low fecundity on this commodity. The net reproductive rate and mean generation time were 6.19 females/female and 127.5 days and 0.16 females/female and 91.9 days, when it was fed on semolina and cracked wheat, respectively. Based on demographic analysis, T. castaneum population growth is favored only on semolina. We expect semolina to act as a suitable commodity for T. castaneum, while cracked wheat and cracked maize allow only its survival by acting as alternative commodities. The estimated demographic parameters of T. castaneum on the tested commodities could be used as a useful tool to predict its population outcome in storage facilities.

Frass produced by the primary pestRhyzopertha dominicasupports the population growth of the secondary stored product pestsOryzaephilus surinamensis,Tribolium castaneum, andT. confusum

“…Beckel et al . (2007; Skourti et al ., 2020) compared different flour milling grades (i.e., 1–20) and found that wheat grain milled at grade 20 yielded the largest number of progeny of O. surinamensis . Several works claim that T. castaneum can survive and multiply on whole seeds (Fraenkel and Blewett, 1943; Daniels, 1956), but other studies do not support these conclusions (White, 1982).…”

Developing a Hazomalania voyronii Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for the Eco-Friendly Management of Tribolium confusum, Tribolium castaneum and Tenebrio molitor Larvae and Adults on Stored Wheat

“…As in the case of T. confusum , T. castaneum produces quinones that cause skin irritation [ 6 ]. Skourti et al [ 7 , 8 ] recently outlined that different levels of temperature and different types of commodities, chiefly alter the immature developmental period.…”

(Quasi)-Binomial vs. Gaussian Models to Evaluate Thiamethoxam, Pirimiphos-Methyl, Alpha-Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin on Different Types of Storage Bag Materials Against Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…Insect pests threaten the commercial and nutritional value of several agricultural stored-products [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In particular, the quality and quantity of stored-products in storage facilities are considerably downgraded due to insect infestations [ 9 , 10 ].…”