Tribolium

insect

Also known as: flour beetle

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Tribolium is a genus of small, brown beetles belonging to the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as darkling beetles. These insects are often referred to as flour beetles, with Tribolium confusum and T. castaneum being prominent examples.12

Flour beetles are considered pests as their larvae feed on dry cereal products and stored grains. Remains of Tribolium have been found in ancient Egyptian grain jars, indicating their long-standing association with stored food. Due to their ability to be raised in large numbers under various experimental conditions, flour beetles are also utilized in laboratory studies concerning population ecology, heredity, and behavior.231

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life
Temperature and desiccation
…kangaroo rat (a mammal) and Tribolium (the flour beetle) imbibe no water at all in the liquid state. They rely entirely on metabolic water—that is, on water released from chemical bonds through the metabolism of food. A variety of plants, including Spanish moss, live without contact with groundwater. They extract…
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…kangaroo rat (a mammal) and Tribolium (the flour beetle) imbibe no water at all in the liquid state. They rely entirely on metabolic water—that is, on water released from chemical bonds through the metabolism of food. A variety of plants, including Spanish moss, live without contact with groundwater. They extract…
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agricultural technology
Mechanical and cultural controls
…effect on flour beetles (Tribolium species). Further development is needed, but this method offers potential as a nonchemical control. Other types of physical energy can also kill insects. Light waves, high-frequency electric fields, high-intensity radio frequencies, and gamma radiation have been investigated; some offer promise.
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…effect on flour beetles (Tribolium species). Further development is needed, but this method offers potential as a nonchemical control. Other types of physical energy can also kill insects. Light waves, high-frequency electric fields, high-intensity radio frequencies, and gamma radiation have been investigated; some offer promise.
Read More