Investigations on the biological importance of wood for Prostephanus truncatus (Bostrichidae)
1990
Detmers, H.-B. (Biologische Bundesanstalt fuer Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Berlin (Germany, F.R.). Inst. fuer Vorratsschutz)
A nutritive utilization of wood or wood ingredients could not be detected. However, adult boring into wood resulted in considerable extension of their lifetime. At 30 degrees C, 75 per cent r.h. and without food an average longevity up to 1.5 month (maximum of some adults: 3.5 month) was observed, whereas non-boring controls lived 0.5 month on the average (maximum: 1.5 month). After boring into the wood the beetles showed only little activity. By adding maize kernels adults were attracted to leave their boring tunnels after a 25 to 50 days' stay. This effect is based on the olfactory preception of the maize. The test individuals subsequently resumed breeding. An extension of the longevity of the adults was also found after boring into other materials. Especially spindles and stalks of maize plants were tested. By means of the boring behaviour the larger grain borer is able to survive extended periods within grain stores in the absence of maize and is able to reinfest freshly stored maize from his hiding places within the wooden structures
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