Confused flour beetle
Scientific name: Tribolium confusum
Family: Tenebroidae
Distribution
Worldwide
Pest Type
Secondary pest
Identification
Adults are about 3.0–4.5 mm long, are flattened, and reddish-brown in colour. This species is aptly named after the fact that it is always confused with the rust-red flour beetle — they greatly resemble each other but can be differentiated by looking at their antennae. The antenna of the confused flour beetle ends in a 4-segmented club that gradually increases in size toward the tip; the “club‘ looks less obvious than that of the rust red flour beetle. Moreover, the sides of the pronotum of T.confusum is straighter compared to T. castaneum. Adults do not, or rarely fly.
Life Cycle
Life cycle can be completed in 25 days at 33℃ and 70% or higher relative humidity. The eggs are laid on commodities, and the larvae are external feeders. Adults have a long life span, and feed on commodities.
Commodities attacked
Like the red flour beetle, it feds on flour, processed grains, and powdered or grounded products.
Economic Importance
A major pest of mills, processing plants, and storage facilities.
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