Size: |
Confused flour beetle adult is 1/8 in (3-4 mm) long;
full-grown larva is 1/8-1/4 in (4-5 mm) long. |
Characteristics: |
Adult has gradually club-like antennae with 4-segmented club. Thorax
sides are almost straight, much more so than the red flour beetle.
Adult has wings, but is not known to fly. Full-grown larva have hard,
cylindrical bodies, and are somewhat wiry looking. |
Color: |
The adult confused flour beetle is reddish brown. The larva is brownish-white
or yellowish-white, the end of the non-movable last body segment being
dark. |
Geographic Range: |
Originating in Africa, confused flour beetles are now found around
the world in cool climates. In the U.S. they are more common in the
northern states. |
Comparison with other species: |
The confused flour beetle is almost identical to the red flour beetle,
which has a more curved thorax and abruptly clubbed antennae with
3-segmented clubs. Broadhorned and slenderhorned flour beetles do
not have clubbed antennae, and male mandibles have a pair of incurved
horns. Black and false black flour beetles are, you guessed it, black!
Longheaded flour beetles are pale yellow-brown. The lesser mealworm
has an almost completely divided eye. Yellow and dark mealworms are
black, and larger, about 1/2-3/4 in (12-20 mm) long. |
Habitat: |
The way to a confused flour beetle's home is through his food. |
Food: |
Confused flour beetles have been observed attacking damaged grains
and grain products, but are unable to feed on whole kernels of grain.
They also eat peas and beans, shelled nuts, dried fruit, chocolate,
spices (such as cayenne), snuff tobacco, drugs, plant and museum specimens,
and even poison bait. |
Biology: |
The female confused flour beetle deposits 300-500 clear-white sticky
eggs, 2-3 per day, in food materials in bags, or through the mesh
of sacks containing food. Eggs hatch in 5-12 days, The complete life
cycle takes 7 weeks to 3 months or more, depending on temperature.
There are 4-5 generations per year in heated storage facilities and
processing plants. |
Invasion: |
We're more confused than they are, so keep an eye on the flour!
|
Damage: |
This nuisance pest gives a bad odor and taste to the food it infests
in homes and grocery stores.
|
Prevention: |
- Inspect incoming items.
- Supply ventilation.
- Keep buildings in good physical condition to reduce entry.
Sanitation:
- Quickly remove spilled grain.
- Keep environment and grounds clean.
- Keep pallets 18 inches away from walls, and replace torn packages.
- Rotate food and nonfood stock. Oldest stock should be rotated
out first.
|
