Cadelle
Scientific name
Tenebroides mauritanicus (Linnaeus)
Classification
Primary pest; grain feeder
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Trogossitidae
Acronym: TMAu
Description
- Adults are shiny black to brown beetles that range in size from 6 to 11 mm.
- Larvae are whitish in colour with a black head, thoracic shield and urogomphi.
- Larvae reach a length of up to 19 mm.
- Larvae are active in the food.
Images
Similar species
- Dermestes species
- Alphitobius species
- Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)
Commodities affected
- Grains, nuts, flour and other grain products, dried fruit, spices
Signs of infestation
- No specific signs, unless holes are found in surrounding structures, indicating presence of larvae
Damage
- Signs of damage to commodity cannot be easily related to this species.
- Larvae preferentially attack germ, and can cause damage to wooden structures and plaster.
How to control
Geographic range
- Is distributed worldwide
- Is distributed across Canada through all provinces
Where found
- Is a common pest in flour mills, granaries, ships, elevators, warehouses and stores
- May also be a pest in farm-stored grain and homes
- Is usually associated with aged residues
- Larvae can burrow into wooden structures or plastered walls, causing structural damage that provides hiding places for other stored-product pests.
Life history
- Females lay eggs in batches of 10 to 60 in the food supply.
- Cadelles prey on other stored-product insects.
- Larvae and adults will also eat holes in flour sacks, food cartons and bolting cloth.
Not what you're looking for?
Start over again from the Insect identification key page.