Cadelle
Tenebroides mauritanicus
This record describes Tenebroides mauritanicus (species). Recorded family: Trogossitidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
larvae and adults can bore into the woodwork of storage compartments and emerge later to reinfest new shipments ( 6 )
Wikipedia reference for Tenebroides mauritanicus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenebroides_mauritanicus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Cleroidea
- Family
- Trogossitidae
- Subfamily
- Trogossitinae
- Genus
- Tenebroides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
granaries, mills, warehouses, grain elevators, and homes; infests flour, meal, grain, nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruits, vegetables, and biscuits; occasionally found in the wild on dead wood (locally very common under bark in parts of so.Europe/Caucasus. =v=)
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan (spread with commerce), of Palaearctic origin, adventive in NA (AK‒NF to CA‒TX‒FL)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae and adults feed on nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and vegetables, as well as grains and their milled products. Adults also feed on other insects, including larvae of cheese skipper , Tribolium spp., and larvae and adults of their own species ( 4 )
Life History
2 generations per year in temperate regions, 3 in the tropics
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tenebroides mauritanicus (Linnaeus 1758)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Tenebroides mauritanicus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cadelle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cadelle
What is Cadelle?
Cadelle (Tenebroides mauritanicus) is a species in the family Trogossitidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Cadelle?
6‒10 mm
Where is Cadelle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | granaries, mills, warehouses, grain elevators, and homes; infests flour, meal, grain, nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruits, vegetables, and biscuits; occasionally found in the wild on dead wood (locally very common under bark in parts of so.Europe/Caucasus. =v=) |
| Range | Cosmopolitan (spread with commerce), of Palaearctic origin, adventive in NA (AK‒NF to CA‒TX‒FL) |
What does Cadelle eat?
The diet of the Cadelle includes Larvae and adults feed on nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and vegetables, as well as grains and their milled products. Adults also feed on other insects, including larvae of cheese skipper , Tribolium spp., and larvae and adults of their own species ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Cadelle?
2 generations per year in temperate regions, 3 in the tropics