Pest Library – Food Pests – Confused Flour Beetle

Facts: Confused Flour Beetle

Name: Tribolium confusum

Appearance: Small in size (1/8th inches), and reddish-brown in color. This beetle is very similar to Tribolium castaneum (Flour Beetle).

Habit: Confused flour beetles, because of their small size, are able to make their way into food packaging without damaging it. This will generally allow them plenty of time to feed and reproduce without being disturbed. These pests are often spread unknowingly from place to place, creating a sizable amount of damage to stored food products annually.

Health/Damage Concerns: Flour beetles are a well-known pest within the food production, processing, and packaging industries. They are known to “discolor” flour and leave an unappealing scent after feeding, consequently damaging infested food supplies. They are also common in homes, generally found in pantries, cupboards, and anywhere dry food products are stored.

Diet: Dry food products such as flour, spices, and pet food.

Reproduction: Like many food infesting insects, female Flour beetles will lay their eggs directly on food material, allowing larvae to immediately have a meal upon hatching. As the female feeds, she will also lay several eggs a day on this food source. The time it takes for newly hatched larvae to become reproducing adults is just under two months depending on environmental conditions, especially temperature. Four to five generations per year.


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