More facts about Necrobia rufipes de Geer
1996
Zipagan, M.B. | Pacumbaba, E.P. (Philippine Coconut Authority, Albay (Philippines))
A closer look on the habits of Necrobia rufipes der Geer was made to verify some facts about its biology and to determine characteristics about the insect not yet known. From field observations, it was found that the insect was indeed very common in relatively dry deteriorated copra stocks. It was most common in copra that have been flattened by heavy equipment or those with reduced oil content. Contrary to past observations, the insect seldom bored into the copra unless about to pupate. When reared on well-cooked copra chips with 6-7 percent moisture content, the number of instars recorded was 7-8 compared to 5 on deteriorated copra. Its life span on the former was also longer (110-213 days) in contrast to the latter (70-75 days) indicating an imbalance diet. Other tests showed that young larvae preferred smaller succulent arthropods while mature larvae readily devoured bigger forms and carcasses. From all indications, the copra beetle is more of a predatory insect and nuisance than a true pests of copra
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This bibliographic record has been provided by University of the Philippines at Los Baños