Biological Features and Population Growth of Two Southeastern European Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Strains

Abstract

A study of the biological features and the potential population growth between two laboratory strains of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Greece and Serbia is conducted on cracked barley and cracked white rice. The results show that, at a species level, T. confusum is able to complete development on cracked barley but not on cracked white rice. Therefore, cracked white rice proves to be an unsuitable commodity for T. confusum. Larval development on cracked barley is significantly shorter for the Serbian compared to the Greek strain (37.7 and 49.7 days, respectively), but pupal development does not differ between the two strains (6.2 days for both strains). Additionally, male longevity does not differ between the Greek and Serbian strains (144.4 and 151.4 days, respectively), while female longevity is significantly shorter for the Serbian (151.7 days) compared to the Greek strain (186.6 days). Fecundity does not differ between the two strains (11.3 and 17.7 eggs/female for the Greek and the Serbian strain, respectively), whilst survival is higher for the Serbian strain on both tested commodities. The values of the net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of increase and the finite rate of increase on cracked barley are significantly higher for the Serbian (7.27 females/female, 0.025 female/female/day and 1.026, respectively) compared to the Greek strain (2.91 females/female, 0.014 females/female/day and 1.014, respectively). It therefore is expected that different strains of T. confusum may exhibit variable phenology as well as potential population growth. Additionally, we expect our results to have bearing on the management of this species.

Malathion-resistant Tribolium castaneum has enhanced response to oxidative stress, immunity, and fitness

“…Under starved conditions, lifespans fell to 24 days (resistant Ph-10) and 21 days (susceptible FSS-II). These reductions are similar to non-resistant adults when fed on the unsuitable rice diet (Kavallieratos et al, 2020). Adult malathion-resistant Musca domestica when exposed to oxygen survived better than a susceptible strain and induced higher catalase levels (Rauf et al, 2008).…”

“…Depending on the strain, larval growth rates were negatively correlated with longevity of the adults. Strains originating from grain stores were compared for adult longevity and mean survival times were found to vary from 120 to 170 days (Kavallieratos et al, 2020) when fed on cracked barley. When fed on unsuitable rice grain the longevity was drastically shortened.…”

“…When fed on unsuitable rice grain the longevity was drastically shortened. All these insects were reared on wheat flour previously to the study (Kavallieratos et al, 2020). Generally, the expected adult lifespan under controlled conditions does depend on the strain (and conditions); however, there are no published results for insecticide-resistant strains of this species, particularly a no-cost resistant strain.…”

Developing a Hazomalania voyronii Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for the Eco-Friendly Management of Tribolium confusum, Tribolium castaneum and Tenebrio molitor Larvae and Adults on Stored Wheat

“…Due to its ability to infest processed commodities, it is usually found in mills, bakeries, pet shops, and storage units [ 2 ]. Recently, Kavallieratos et al [ 5 ] reported that the larval and pupal development period is a complex phenomenon depending on the geographical origin of T. confusum and the type of infested commodity.…”

(Quasi)-Binomial vs. Gaussian Models to Evaluate Thiamethoxam, Pirimiphos-Methyl, Alpha-Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin on Different Types of Storage Bag Materials Against Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…It infests 138 different commodities such as cereal seeds, flours, bran, oilseeds, spices, as well as a wide variety of dry plant materials (e.g., fruits, nuts, herbs, coffee) [ 34 ]. It is considered as one of the most important enemies of stored cereals and processed cereals in a wide spectrum of storage facilities (e.g., mills, bins, bakeries) [ 1 , 34 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. The qualitative and quantitative degradation of stored products in places where T. confusum occurs is particularly important, taking into account the significant financial losses on the basis of an annual global scale [ 11 , 39 ].…”