Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T14:30:23.898Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Studies on Beetles of the Family Ptinidae IX.—A Laboratory Study of the Biology of Ptinus tectus Boield

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

R. W. Howe  and
H. D. Burges
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Ptinus tectus occurs on a large range of foodstuffs in all types of storage places, in warehouse refuse and in the nests of birds. It is widely distributed in cool and temperate areas but is very rarely found in hot climates. In Britain it can survive the winter when exposed in a Stevenson screen to outdoor shade conditions. P. tectus is seldom found on imported cargoes inspected aboard ship, but many British warehouses carry a population of the species resident in the fabric of the premises.

The larva is able to bore through cellophane, card and textiles and can also make impressions on wood. The fully fed larva spins a cocoon on the fabric of containers and buildings. Holing of packages and contamination by silk of high grade produce form the chief economic losses caused by the species, but occasionally large populations are found, sufficient to reduce the food value of produce. Unlike the larvae, adult beetles cannot penetrate sound linen bags, but lay eggs through the meshes.

In a series of consecutive experiments, performed identically as far as possible, variations in the length of developmental period and in emergence weight of adult beetles were greater than would be expected by chance. The variations could not be related to any single observed or suspected inconsistency of technique or environment. It is desirable therefore to conduct comparative experiments simultaneously.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 44 , Issue 3 , September 1953 , pp. 461 - 516
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1953

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barrett, C. J. (1942). New records of Coleoptera from Offaly (Kings Co.)—Ent. mon. Mag., 78, pp. 42–43.Google Scholar
Belton, C. H. (1951). Note on some insect pests in stored products.—N.Z.J. Sci. Tech., (A) 32 no. 1, p. 44.Google Scholar
Bentley, E. W. (1944). The biology and behaviour of Ptinus tectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. V. Humidity reactions.—J. exp. Biol., 20, pp. 152–158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bentley, E. W., Gunn, D. L. & Ewer, D. W. (1941). The biology and behaviour of Ptinus tectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. I. The daily rhythm of loeomotory activity, especially in relation to light and temperature.—J. exp. Biol., 18, pp. 182–195.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birch, L. C. (1948). The intrinsic rate of natural increase of an insect population.—J. Anim. Ecol., 17, pp. 15–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braune, R. (1943). Vergleichende Untersuchungen an den Diebskäfern Ptinus tectus Boield., Ptinus fur L., Ptinus latro Fabr., Ptinus sexpunctatus Panz., und Ptinus brunneus Duft., zugleich der experimentelle Beweis für die Notwendigkeit des Flüssigkeitsausgleichs im Insektenkörper.—Z. Morph. Ökol. Tiere, 39, pp. 546–691.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brinok, P. (1945). Coleoptera.—Sci. Res. Norweg. Antarctic Exped., no. 24, 23 pp.Google Scholar
Brown, W. J. (1929). Some new species of Coleoptera.—Canad. Ent., 61, pp. 108–110.Google Scholar
Brown, W. J. (1940). A key to the species of Ptinidae occurring in dwellings and warehouses in Canada (Coleoptera).—Canad. Ent., 72, pp. 115–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carpenter, G. H. (1908). Injurious insects and other animals observed in Ireland during the year 1907.—Econ. Proc. R. Dublin Soc., 1, pp. 559–588.(1320)H.Google Scholar
Chitty, A. J. (1904). Ptinus tectus and Lathridius bergrothi in Holborn.—Ent. mon. Mag., 40, p. 109.Google Scholar
Crawford, W. M. (1932). Coleoptera in Northern Ireland.—Ent. mon. Mag., 68, pp. 277–278.Google Scholar
David, H. A. (1951). Further applications of range to the analysis of variance.—Biometrika 38, pp. 393–407.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deal, J. (1941). The temperature preferendum of certain insects.—J. Anim. Ecol., 10, pp. 323–356.Google Scholar
Donisthorpe, H. (1947). Insects in a pigeon's nest.—Ent. mon. Mag., 83, p. 294.Google Scholar
Van Emden, F. (1931). Zur Kenntnis der Morphologie und Oekologie des Brotkäfer-Parasiten Cephalonomia quadridentata Duchaussoy.—Z. Morph. Oekol. Tiere, 23, pp. 425–574.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Everts, E. (1924). Vierde vervolg op het aanhangsel in “Coleoptera Neerandiea” III. (Nieuwe vondsten voor de Nederlandsche Coleopterenfauna XLII.)—Ent. Ber., 6, pp. 277–285.Google Scholar
Ewer, D. W. & Ewer, R. F. (1942). The biology and behaviour of Ptinus tectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. III. The effect of temperature and humidity on oviposition, feeding and duration of life cycle.—J. exp. Biol., 18, pp. 290–305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, R. A. (1946). Statistical methods for research workers.—10th revd. edn. London, Oliver & Boyd.Google Scholar
Fraenkel, G.Blewett, M. (1943 a). The natural foods and the food requirements of several species of stored products insects.—Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 93, pp. 457–490.Google Scholar
Fraenkel, G. & Blewett, M. (1943 b). The basic food requirements of several insects.—J. exp. Biol., 20, pp. 28–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraenkel, G. & Blewett, M. (1943 c). Vitamins of the B group required by insects.—Nature, 151, pp. 703–704.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraenkel, G. & Blewett, M. (1943 d). The sterol requirements of several insects.—Biochem. J., 37, pp. 692–695.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Freeman, J. A. (1948). Stored products pests: a survey of the principal entomological problems in the United Kingdom.—Ann. appl. Biol., 35, pp. 294–301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Freeman, J. A. (1950). Methods of spread of stored products insects and origin of infestation in stored products.—Proc. 8th int. Congr. Ent., Stockholm 1948, pp. 815–825.Google Scholar
Friederichs, H. F. (1932). Zur Biologie von Ptinus tectus Boield.—Z. angew. Ent., 19, pp. 301–306.Google Scholar
Gray, H. E. (1950). Stored product insect conditions in Canada in 1949.—Canad. Insect Pest Rev., 28, pp. 96–97.Google Scholar
Gunn, D. L. & Hopf, H. S. (1942). The biology and behaviour of Ptinus tectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. II. The amount of locomotory activity in relation to experimental and to previous temperatures.—J. exp. Biol., 18, pp. 278–289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gunn, D. L. & Knight, R. H. (1945). The biology and behaviour of Ptinustectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. VI. Culture conditions.—J. exp. Biol., 21, pp. 132–143.Google Scholar
Gunn, D. L. & Walshe, B. M. (1942). The biology and behaviour of Ptinustectus Boie. (Coleoptera, Ptinidae), a pest of stored products. IV. Temperature preference.—J. exp. Biol., 19, pp. 133–140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, V. (1923). Tillaeg og Rettelser til vore Billerfortegnelser.—Ent. Medd., 14, pp. 240–242.Google Scholar
Hatch, M. H. (1933). Ptinus tectus Boieldieu in America.—Bull, Brooklyn ent. Soc., 28, pp. 200–202.Google Scholar
Hatch, M. H. (1943). Ptinus tectus damaging furs in Alaska.—J. econ. Ent., 36, p. 353.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Havelka, J. (1945). Příspěvek k poznání výskytu Ptinus (Pseudobruchus) tectus Boield. v naší fauně.—Věda Přĺr., 23, pp. 181–182.Google Scholar
Hayhurst, H. (1940). Insect pests in stored products.—83 pp. London, Chapman & Hall.Google Scholar
Hellén, W. (1925). Uebersicht der Ptiniden (Col.) Finlands.—Not. Ent., Helsingfors, 5, pp. 118–123.Google Scholar
Henderson, J. L. (1945). The beetles of a suburban London garden in Surrey.—Ent. mon. Mag., 81, pp. 63–66.Google Scholar
Hickin, N. E. (1941). Notes on mites found associated with cultures of Ptinid beetles.—Ent. mon. Mag., 77, p. 197.Google Scholar
Hickin, N. E. (1942 a). The food and water requirements of Ptinus tectus Boieldieu (Coleopt., Ptinidae).—Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., (A) 17, pp. 99–108.Google Scholar
Hickin, N. E. (1942 b). Infestation of foodstuffs by Ptinus tectus Boield. (Col., Ptinidae).—Ent. mon. Mag., 78, p. 14.Google Scholar
Hinton, H. E. (1941). The Ptinidae of economic importance.—Bull. ent. Res., 31, pp. 331–381.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1949 a). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. 1.—Notes on the biology of species in Britain.—Ent. mon. Mag., 85, pp. 137–139.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1949 b). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. 2.—Fineness of foodstuffs as a factor influencing the rate of development of Ptinus tectus Boield.—Ent. mon. Mag., 85, pp. 189–190.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1950 a). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. III.—A twoyear study of the distribution and abundance of Ptinus tectus Boield. in a warehouse.—Bull. ent. Res., 41, pp. 371–394.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1950 b). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. 4.—A note on an anomolous effect of parental age on the speed of development.—Ent. mon. Mag., 86, pp. 325–326.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1952). Entomological problems of food storage in northern Nigeria.—Bull. ent. Res., 43, pp. 111–144.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. (1953). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. VIII. The intrinsic rate of increase of some Ptinid beetles.—Ann. appl. Biol., 40, pp. 121–133.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. & Burges, H. D. (1951). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. VI.—The biology of Ptinus fur (L.) and P. sexpunctatus Panzer.—Bull. ent. Res., 42, pp. 449–511.Google Scholar
Howe, R. W. & Burges, H. D. (1952). Studies on beetles of the family Ptinidae. VII.—The biology of five Ptinid species found in stored products.—Bull. ent. Res., 43, pp. 153–186.Google Scholar
Kemper, H. (1938). Hausschädlinge als Bewohner von Vogelnestern.—Z. hyg. Zool., 30, pp. 227–236, 269–274, 291–297.Google Scholar
König, W. (1936). Biologische Studien über Ptinus tectus Boield.—Z. wiss. Zool., 148, pp. 556–599.Google Scholar
Von Lengerken, H. (1929). Zur Lebensweise und zur Frage der Schadwirkung von Ptinus tectus Boield.—Mitt. Ges. Vorratsschutz, 5, no. 2, pp. 21–26.Google Scholar
Lepigre, A. L. (1951). Insectes du logis et du magasin.—339 pp. Algiers, Insectarium, Jardin d'Essai.Google Scholar
Linsley, E. G. & Michelbacher, A. E. (1943). A report on insect infestation of stored grain in California.—J. econ. Ent., 36, pp. 829–831.Google Scholar
Mansbridge, G. H. (1936). A note on the resistance to prolonged cold of some insect pests of stored products.—Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., (A) 11, pp. 83–86.Google Scholar
Manton, S. M. (1945). The larvae of the Ptinidae associated with stored products.—Bull. ent. Res., 35, pp. 341–365.Google Scholar
Mather, K. (1949). Statistical analysis in biology.— 3rd edn.London, Methuen.Google Scholar
Mayné, R. (1948). Report on insects, mites and other pests harmful to stored grains and flours in Belgium.—In Easter, S. S. Ed. Preservation of Grains in Storage.—FAO agric. Stud., no. 2, pp. 72–78.Google Scholar
Musgrave, A. J. (1946). Proceedings of the general meeting held on the 4th December, 1946.—Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., (C) 11, p. 45.Google Scholar
Richards, O. W. & Herford, G. V. B. (1930). Insects found associated with cacao, spices and dried fruits in London warehouses.—Ann. appl. Biol., 17, pp. 367–395.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scholtz, M. F. R. (1920). Die Aufzucht von Ptinus tectus Boield.—Ent. Bl., 16, pp. 23–24.Google Scholar
Shapiro, L. (1941). [The Australian spider beetle] (Ptinus tectus Boield.).—Sprav. Vop. Karant. Rast., 3, pp. 1–4. [In Russian].Google Scholar
Solomon, M. E. (1951). Control of humidity with potassium hydroxide, sulphuricacid, or other solutions.—Bull. ent. Res., 42, pp. 543–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spoon, W. & Loosjes, F. E. (1947). Waarnemingen over de bescherming die de meerwandige kraftpapierenzak biedt tegen voorraad-insecten.—Papierwereld, 1, p. 296.Google Scholar
Waddington, C. H. (1942). The development of rudimentary wings in Ptinus tectus Boield. (Coleoptera: family Ptinidae).—Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., (A) 112–113, pp. 13–20.Google Scholar
Wilson, H. F. (1915). Insect pests of stored products.—Bienn. Rep. Ore. agric. Exp. Sta., 1913–14, pp. 127–130.Google Scholar
Woodroffe, G. E. & Southgate, B. J. (1951). Birds' nests as a source of domestic pests.—Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 121, pp. 55–62.Google Scholar
Zacher, F. (1927). Die Vorrats-, Speicher- und Materialschädlinge und ihre Bekämpfung.—366 pp. Berlin, Parey.Google Scholar
Zacher, F. (1933). Haltung und Züchtung von Vorratsschädlingen. In Abderhalden. Handb. biol. Arb Meth., Abt. IX. Teil 7, (Lief. 416), pp. 389–592.Google Scholar
Zacher, F. (1939 a). Schädlingsverbreitung und Nahrungsmittelhandel.—Dtsch. Lebensmitt.-Rdsch., 1939, no. 9, repr. 4 pp.Google Scholar
Zacher, F. (1939 b). Verschleppung und Einbürgerung von Vorratsschädlingen.—Verh. 7. int. Kongr. Ent., Berlin, 4, pp. 2919–2926.Google Scholar