Abstract
1. The effects of mold in the cultures of Tenebrio molitor on pupal and adult weights are given, and these weights are compared with weights of pupal and adult beetles reared in normal cultures without mold. 2. The results of a few observations are given of the interactions among the several grain inhabitants that may occur with Tenebrio molitor: the flour beetles of the genus Tribolium, the flour moth Ephestia, and mites of the genus Acarus. Of these, Tribolium appears to be more detrimental to populations of Tenebrio, but the mites show the greatest fluctuations in population density. 3. Analyses of the reactions of Tenebrio larvae and adults to various conditions of light, dark, and the presence of the insecticide paradichlorobenzene (PDB) are given. Various combinations of these conditions indicate that the apparently inherent photonegativity of the species is a stronger directing force in the behavior and orientation of Tenebria than is its negativity to the lethal chemical PDB. 4. Humidity experiments showed that the animal does not usually aggregate in the dark, but under various conditions of light, dark, moisture and dryness, aggregations were seen to form as negative responses. 5. Observations of the widespread phenomenon of letisimulation (death feigning) are described. The adults are more inclined to exhibit this behavior than are the larvae or pupae. 6. The tendency of Tenebrio to acclimate to unnatural circumstances has been described. This was shown in the responses to light intensity, poisonous chemicals, and mechanical stimulation by handling.
Published Version
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