confused flour beetle

insect

Also known as: Tribolium confusum

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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The confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) is a cosmopolitan insect belonging to the darkling beetle family, Tenebrionidae. Both the adult beetles and their larvae feed primarily on damaged grain and stored grain products, making them pests. They are often confused with the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). Remains of Tribolium have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, indicating their long history as pests. The flour beetle is also utilized in laboratory studies for research in population ecology, heredity, and behavior due to the ease of raising large populations.123

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darkling beetle
…the smaller flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) are pests in dried foods. Remains of Tribolium have been found in a grain jar in an Egyptian tomb dating back to about 2500 bce. The flour beetle is also used in laboratory studies of population ecology, heredity, and behaviour because large numbers…
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…the smaller flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) are pests in dried foods. Remains of Tribolium have been found in a grain jar in an Egyptian tomb dating back to about 2500 bce. The flour beetle is also used in laboratory studies of population ecology, heredity, and behaviour because large numbers…
Read More