Confused Flour Beetle

Tribolium confusum

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Tenebrionidae
Subfamily: Tenebrioninae
Tribe: Triboliini
Genus: Tribolium
Species: confusum

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tribolium confusum: /triˈboʊliəm kənˈfjuzəm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Tribolium.confusum by Sarefo. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Tribolium (Tribolium) confusum (10.3897-zookeys.728.20602) Figure 30 by Bousquet Y, Thomas DB, Bouchard P, Smith AD, Aalbu RL, Johnston AM, Steiner WE Jr (2018) Catalogue of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of North America. ZooKeys 728: 1-455. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.728.20602. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Tribolium confusum is a morphologically similar species of flour beetle known for infesting stored grains. Its feeding habits and life cycle pose significant threats to food safety and economic stability.

Physical Characteristics

Small, about 3–6 mm in length; reddish-brown color; antennae increase gradually in size with four clubs.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing feature from the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) is the antennae structure; confused flour beetle has four clubs on antennae compared to three in red flour beetle.

Habitat

Common in grain storage areas such as mills, bakeries, warehouses, and often in pantries and cabinets in homes.

Distribution

Originally from Africa but now cosmopolitan; more prevalent in cooler climates, particularly northern states in the USA.

Diet

Feeds on broken grains, grain dust, flour, rice, dried fruits, nuts, and beans; does not feed on whole undamaged grains.

Life Cycle

Eggs are white, larvae creamy yellow (turn light brown as they age), and adults are reddish-brown. Metamorphosis from egg to adult takes 40-90 days, adults can live up to 3 years.

Reproduction

Females capable of laying 200-500 eggs in their lifetime; practice kin selection for improved fitness.

Predators

Natural predators include pathogens, the predatory bug Xylocoris falvipes, and parasitic wasps like Holepyris sylvanidis.

Ecosystem Role

Common pest in food storage, impacting grain and food security.

Economic Impact

Significant economic pest due to damage to stored grains and food products; causes contamination and spoilage.

Health Concerns

Beetle secretions may cause skin irritation and respiratory disorders.

Evolution

Exhibits genetic variability influenced by different environments and insecticide exposure; cannibalism is a polygenic trait.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

The name 'confused' refers to its resemblance to the red flour beetle, not its behavior.