Rearing the Cadelle Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.) (Coleoptera: Ostomidae) as a Test Insect for Insecticidal Research

Abstract

The cadelle, Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.) is a common insect in ships, warehouses, mills and elevators. Back and Cotton (1926) state that it was well known as a pest of wheat in Europe before the end of the eighteenth century. According to Hatch (1942) in Europe the cadelle lives outdoors under bark and in rotten wood where it is predatory on xylophagous insects, and of the 152 species of the genus Tenebroides known by 1910 this was the only one reported as being injurious.