Cadelle

species: tenebroides mauritanicus
common names: cadelle
hosts: grain
notes:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Insect Identification Sheet No. 73 April 1983 Cadelle Tenebroides mauritanicus (Linnaeus) The cadelle is distributed worldwide. Found across Canada, it is a serious pest in flour mills, granaries, warehouses and stores.

Injury:

Both adults and larvae attack grains, nuts, flour and other milled products. When attacking grain, they often devour only the embryo, leaving the endosperm behind. The larvae and adults also eat holes in flour sacks, food cartons and silk bolting cloth.

Life History:

The female beetle lays up to 1000 eggs in groups of 10 to 60 near a supply of food for the larvae. These hatch within 7 to 10 days. The larvae are fleshy, with black heads and two horny black projections on their posteriod ends. Under ideal conditions larvae reach their mature length of 1.8 cm in less than 3 months. Adverse conditions may result in the maturation process taking up to 1 year. When fully developed, the larvae leave their food supply for a secluded place to pupate. Adult beetles emerge within 2 or 3 weeks. Adults are elongate, shiny black, and reach a length of 9 mm. There are several generations per year, depending on the temperature and the availability of food. Both adults and larvae bore into the woodwork of grain bins when food supplies are exhausted, only to come out when new grain has been added.

Pest Management:

For information on the control of this insect consult your provincial Department of Agriculture.