Red (Tribolium castaneum) & Confused (Tribolium confusum) Flour Beetles
Red and confused flour beetles will attack stored grain products such as four, cereals, meal, crackers, beans, spices, pasta, cake mix, dried pet food, dried flowers, chocolate, nuts, seeds, and even dried museum specimens. The confused flour beetle got its name due to the fact that it is commonly confused with the red flour beetle. In the United States, the red flour beetle is primarily found in the southern state, while the confused flour beetle is more likely to be found in the northern states.
Characteristics
Adult
Red Flour Beetle
- Reddish-brown in color
- 1/8-inch long body
- End of antennae form a three-segmented club
- Head is visible from above
- Sides of thorax slightly curved
Confused Flour Beetle
- Reddish-brown in color
- 1/8-inch long body
- End of antennae do not form a noticeable club
- Head is visible from above
- Sides of thorax more parallel
Red flour beetle antenna
Confused flour beetle antenna
Red flour beetle thorax
Confused flour beetle thorax
Flour Beetle Larvae
Larvae
The larvae for both the red and confused flour beetles are very similar. Their bodies are:
- Creamy yellow to light brown body color
- Bodies are slender
- 3/16-inch long body
- Two dark pointed projections are found on the last body segment
Biology
The adults are long-lived and can live for more than three years. The female flour beetle will lay about 450 eggs during her lifetime. These eggs are laid loosely on fine materials and broken kernels where the beetles have infested. The larvae will hatch within five to twelve days. The larvae will then feed on the milled product or broken kernels. Under favorable conditions they can complete their lifecycle within six weeks.