Studies on the biology of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with stereomicroscopic images of its life stages

Abstract

The life cycle and season’s studies of Tribolium castaneum indicated that the most favourable season as monsoon (27±5<” C & 80±05 % RH) where they have completed their life cycle within 22 days. The most unfavourable season was the winter (15±3<” C & 35±05 % RH) where it extended till 45 days. Results showed the presence of seven larval instars in the life cycle of the beetle. Stereomicroscope was used to study the microscopic stages like eggs, sexual dimorphism of pupae and adults, morphometric of the beetle. This is the first compiled stereomicroscopic photographs of the life cycle of T. castaneum.