A device to trap egg, larva and adult of Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

A device designed specially to trap larvae and adults of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum was tested for its effectiveness under artificial introduction in wheat flour container proved effective. Tests conducted at different depths of placement of trap (6 and 12 inches) in a plastic container with different densities of adults (25, 50, 100 adults) and different durations of trapping (3, 5, 7, 14 days after placement). This test shows significant results both in terms of adults and larvae trapping. Further the trapped adults laid eggs in the spilled flour also showed significant difference in terms of depth, density and duration. Hence this device proved to arrest multiplication of beetles in the flour because of the trapping of eggs, larvae and adults. Mostly insect traps are used for adult insect trapping, but this trap is used for trapping of eggs and larvae of red flour beetle. The significant observations made in the present investigation with this new device. However further investigation in actual flour bin study will throw more light on the performance of the new device.