Damage and Reproduction by the Flour Beetles, Tribolium confusum and T. castaneum, in Wheat at Three Moisture Contents1

Abstract

A 6 months study was made to determine the amount of feeding damage to whole kernel wheat of 10.2, 12.2 and 14.2% moisture content at 80[degree] F by Tribolium confusum and T. castaneum and to note the amount of progeny development. The beetles caused most damage to the wheat with the highest moisture content. There was also greater reproduction in the wheat with the highest moisture level. T. confusum caused more damage to the wheat and also reproduced more successfully than T. castaneum. At the end of 120 days, T. confusum had reached a population equilibrium in the wheat with a 14.2% moisture level.