Scanning electron morphological studies of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleopteran: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

Background: The confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleopteran: Tenebrionidae) is the most destructive pest of stored products worldwide. It is the most common pest of wheat flour. Results: This study describes and illustrates the larvae, pupae, and adults of T. confusum using scanning electron microscopy. The first larval instars are 5.0-5.1 mm long and 0.5-0.6 mm wide whereas the last larval instars are 5. 75-6.9 mm long and 0.75-0.95 mm wide. Adults of T. confusum are reddish brown elongate beetles (4.0-4.5 mm in body length and 1.0-1.2 mm in width). Electron micrographs revealed the structure of the mouth parts during the larval, pupal, and adult stages as well as the structure of thoracic and abdominal appendages. Results indicated that the setiferous sex patches which were reported in males can often be used for sexing specimens. A specific feature of the first instar larvae of T. confusum is the extreme shortened antenna with a reduced number of antennomeres and the presence of well-developed and moderately long legs. Conclusion: SEM examination may help us not only discover and understand new morphological details as the pits with spine on the elytra and the spikes on the membrane wings which will facilitate the identification of this species but also clarify the functions of various body parts.

Phytochemical analysis and insecticidal activities of seed extracts from Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. treated paper samples vs. Tribolium castaneum

“…Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum are similar pests (Cebeci et al 2018), from which the morphology, histology, and chemistry of the wings can be distinguished (Zohry and El-Sayed 2019) and morphological structure of T.C. determined by scanning electron microscopy (Zohry 2017). Tribolium castaneum is considered a strict secondary pest and causes millet damage throughout the Sahelian zone (Gahukar 1976;Roorda et al 1982).…”

DNA barcoding of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from selected states in Nigeria based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

“…Tribolium species are phenotypically similar in their adult and non-adult stages making morphological identification extremely difficult (Zhang et al, 2016). Zohry (2017) previously investigated Tribolium species morphologically using scanning electron microscope but morphological identification has proven to be unreliable, time consuming and confusing. Therefore, concerted effort is required for its management by agricultural experts and government agencies (Hodges et al, 1996) which is hinged on baseline information on its biology and genetic diversity (Demuth and Wade, 2007).…”