NUTRITIONAL PEST CONTROL: THE “SELF-PROTECTION” OF FOODSTUFFS AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) OFTEN PRESUMABLY THROUGH NUTRITIONAL FACTORS

Abstract

AbstractIn feeding tests with 20 different dry foodstuffs, some, usually those of high carbohydrate content, permitted Tribolium confusum jacquelin du Val to survive and develop reasonably well. Differences between the sugar content of Sugar Pops and Corn Flakes were probably the reason for better growth on the former than on the latter. Moreover, raisins and bran, i.e. Raisin Bran, was a better food than Bran Flakes. The hygroscopic properties of dehydrated peaches and of pineapple juice soon rendered them unfit as food for T. confusum. It is apparent that though some modern dry foodstuffs that lend themselves well as stored products may be highly susceptible to insect attack, others seem to be “self-protected” from serious insect infestation. This suggests that stored food products might be packaged and handled selectively according to their susceptibility rating and so result in obvious economies in their handling.