Tenebroides mauritanicus Fact Sheet.
The Cadelle beetle Tenebroides mauritanicus.
Tenebroides mauritanicus, the Cadelle beetle is one of the major pests of stored gains, such as wheat, corn, rice and millet. They can cause damage to most of the grain structure but prefer to only eat the soft germ. They are often found infesting old grain bins and flour mills. It is originated from Africa and now has worldwide distribution.
Cadelle beetle- Adult (Tenebroides mauritanicus)
Image by USDA-ARS-GMPRC Image Database - License: Public Domain.
Biology of Tenebroides mauritanicus, The Cadelle Beetle.
Adults Cadelle beetles range between 8-11mm, and larvae up to 20mm; making it one of the larger stored food beetles. Cadelle beetles are long and flat and are recognisable by the clear separation of the front and back of the insect by a small loose limb.
Cadelle beetle- larvae (Tenebroides mauritanicus)
Image by USDA-ARS-GMPRC Image Database - License: Public Domain.
When food is in short supply both the adult and larvae will bore into wood. The larvae can survive without food for up to 120 days and the adult can survive for 52. One or two generations can be produced per year and when there is an infestation the presence of a sweet musty odour can be an indicator. Though they do eat other stored food pests, however it seems to be indiscriminate between grain and other insects, and will continue to eat grain with other insects about.
The Life Cycle of Tenebroides mauritanicus, The Cadelle Beetle.
Nature of Damage of Tenebroides mauritanicus, The Cadelle Beetle.
They are able to damage previously undamaged kernels and it has been found that an individual larva can be capable of damaging 10,000 grains rendering them unable to germinate. On top of the damage to the crop, if there are any wooden structures for production or storage, these organisms can damage them beyond repair by boring into the wood and weakening its structure.
Pheromone Trap for Tenebroides mauritanicus, The Cadelle Beetle.
Russell IPM manufactures pheromone lures and traps which are effective on monitoring Tenebroides mauritanicus. The Xlure-MST trap is the most useful product with which an infestation of Tenebroides mauritanicus can be monitored. The Xlure-MST pheromone trap provides early warning of the infestation and also will alert the pest controller to low level of populations before they become serious.