Studies on the Gaseous Secretion of Tribolium Confusum Duval II. the Odoriferous Glands of Tribolium Confusum

Abstract

It has long been known that Tribolium confusum Duval gives off an odoriferous substance. Chittenden (1896) noticed that a few flour beetles were enough to give a “persistent and disagreeable odor to the infested substance.” The gas given off by the Tribolium adults deleteriously affects the viscous and elastic properties of a dough made from infested flour (Payne, 1925). Park (1934) reported that Dr. John Stanley believes “ … the gas along with certain fluids found in Tribolium may be irritating to man resulting particularly in gastric disorders.” However, from experiments on rats and man, there is no evidence that injury would result from the ingestion of confused flour beetles as they may accidently occur in cooked cereals (Mills and Pepper, 1939). Abnormal adults have been obtained by subjecting immature stages of Tribolium to the vapors of the secretion (Chapman, 1926). Roth and Howland (1941) isolated the substance and also obtained interesting monstrosities by subjecting different stages to both the fumes and crystals of the secretion. However, although many interesting facts have been established concerning this substance, the organs which produce the material have never been described. Good (1936) states that the scent glands of both Tribolium confusum and T. castaneum are well developed and are possessed by the adults but not by the larvae.