Growth and Development of the Red Flour Beetle1 in Flour Supplemented with Eggs or Adults of the Indian Meal Moth2,3

Abstract

Growth and development of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), was determined in the laboratory at 28°C and 60% RH. When the flour was supplemented with dead eggs or adults of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the red flour beetle larvae weighed an average 2.92±0.51 (SE) or 3.0±0.32 mg, respectively, after 15 days; larvae in unsupplemented flour weighed an average 1.51 ±0.20 mg. However, there was no difference in the maximum weights of the larvae. Larvae in flour supplemented with eggs had a mean developmental period of 19.1± 0.8 days, those in flour supplemented with moths required 20.0±1.0 days, and those in unsupplemented flour required 24.9±0.8 days. Supplemented diets did not influence pupal duration (6.4±0.4 days). Days to 50% adult emergence were 26, 27, or 32 for beetles in flour with eggs, moths, or no supplement, respectively.