The Biology ofLaemophloeus minutusOliv. (Col. Cucujidae)

Abstract

The three species of Laemophloeus commonly associated with stored products have been shown, by a survey of recorded information, to be cosmopolitan and to occur on a large variety of foodstuffs.The egg, four larval instars and pupa of L. minutus have been described briefly and the life-history outlined.Mated females of Laemophloeus minutus lay eggs continuously throughout their long life at the rate of about 0·5 eggs per day at 17°C. rising to 4·0 eggs per day at 30°C. Humidity changes over the range 55–90 per cent. R.H. have little effect on the rate of oviposition. Oviposition is stimulated by the constant presence of the male.

Effects of Noncatastrophic Control Technologies that Alter Life History Parameters on Insect Population Growth: A Simulation Study

“…The number of eggs laid during 12 wk was multiplied by female longevity divided by 12 to obtain an estimate of total eggs laid during the life of a female. These estimates agree with the limited data reported on fecundity over a lifetime (Davies 1949). A quadratic equation was fit to the data (Table 1).…”

“…Without any decrease, larval survival (at 90% RH) was 31. 7% at 17°e, 65.3% at 21°C, 87.9% at 25°C, and 82.2% at 30°C (Davies 1949).…”

“…I chose this species for the study because there are more quantitative data describing its biology than are available for most other stored-product insects and because the biology and duration of life stages of C. pusillus are typical of many holometabolous (Bishop 1959). Eggs usually are laid in cracks in the grain and hatch in 3.5 d. Larvae feed on the grain, and the larval stage lasts 17.9 d, The non-feeding prepupal stage lasts 3.2 d at 30 0 e and 90% RH (Davies 1949). The pupal stage lasts 4.4 d at 32,2°e and 90% RH (Bishop 1959), Males and females feed on grain.…”

“…Males live 98 d at 32.5°e and 90% RH (Bishop 1959). Sixty-three percent of females start laying eggs within 4 d after emerging at 25°e and 75% RH (Davies 1949), Females live 138 d at 32.5°C and 90% RH (Bishop 1959) and lay 226.8 eggs during the first 12 wk of adult life at 30 0 e and 90% RH (Currie 1967),…”

“…18,no. 6 riod was assumed to last four days at all temperatures (Davies 1949). Fecundity data from Currie (1967) were modified for use in the model.…”