The Comparative Bionomics of American Cryptolestes1 (Coleoptera-Cucujidae) that Infest Stored Grain23

Abstract

C. ferrugineus is the most abundant Cryptolestes in collections from northern grain-growing areas. C. turcicus is found much more commonly than C. minutus, but has frequently been misidentified as the latter. Of the three, C. ferrugineus was found least sensitive to low humidities, in both the adult and the larval stages. Egg production and longevity of each species increased sharply with increased relative humidity. When exposed to low temperatures, under both field and laboratory conditions, the tolerances of ferrugineus and turcicus were similar, but C. minutus had a higher mortality than either of the others. Though the three species have similar habits, differences were observed which may be important in survival.