Darkling Beetles (Tenebrionidae)

Darkling beetles are a large family of beetles with over 20,000 species and have a cosmopolitan distribution.

Common Beetles Belonging to this Family

Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor)
Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
Litter Beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus)
Blue Death Feigning Beetle (Asbolus verrucosus)
Superworm Beetle (Zophobas morio)
Confused Flour Beetle (Tribolium confusum)
Destructive Flour Beetle (Tribolium destructor)
Chinese Beetle (Ulomoides dermestoides)

Scientific Classification

These beetles are separated into eleven subfamilies, which consist of several genera.

Alleculinae
- Allecula
- Capnochroa
- Chromatia
- Cistelopsis
- Cteniopus
- Gonodera
- Heliotaurus
- Homotrysis
- Isomira
- Lobopoda
- Mycetochara
- Omophlus
- Polyidus
- Prionychus
- Pseudocistela
Blaptinae
- Eleodes
- Blaps
- Blapstinus
- Opatroides
- Opatrum
- Dendarus
- Gonocephalum
- Itagonia
- Xerolinus
Diaperinae
- Adelina
- Alphitophagus
- Corticeus
- Crypticus
- Cynaeus
- Diaperis
- Iccius
- Myrmechixenus
- Neomida
- Pentaphyllus
- Phaleria
- Platydema
- Scaphidema
- Trachyscelis
Kuhitangiinae
- Foranotum
- Kuhitangia
Lagriinae
- Adelium
- Cerogria
- Chaerodes
- Cossyphus
- Euclarkia
- Kershawia
- Lagria
- Rhosaces
Nilioninae
- Nilio
Phrenapatinae
- Aphtora
- Pseudophthora
- Madagassa
Pimeliinae
- Renatiella
- Stenocara
- Alphasida
Stenochiinae
- Alobates
- Cnodalon
- Coelocnemis
- Falsocamaria
- Iphthiminus
- Menephilus
- Merinus
- Oenopion
- Scotaeus
- Strongylium
- Upis
- Xylopinus
Tenebrioninae
- Alphitobius
- Acropteryx
- Chalcopteroides
- Bolitophagus
- Bolitotherus
- Eledona
- Epantius
- Mimopeus
- Accanthopus
- Helops
- Nalassus
- Stenomax
- Tarpela
- Cheirodes
- Melanimon
- Metaclisa
- Eutermicola
- Palorus
- Paoligena
- Cephalostenus
- Bius
- Idiobates
- Neatus
- Tenebrio
- Zophobas
- Macellocerus
- Latheticus
- Tribolium
- Uloma
Zolodininae
- Tanylypa
- Zolodinus

Physical Description and Identification

Adult

Size: 0.13 – 0.75 in (0.2 – 1.9 cm)

Color:They range from reddish-brown to brownish-black.

Other Characteristic Features: The antennae of these beetles can be slightly clubbed, filiform, or moniliform, with the ends enlarged somewhat.

Larva

The larvae, called mealworms or false wireworms, have adapted to a life underground. Their bodies are covered with armor, and some specimens have chemical defenses against predators.

Pupa

Pupation takes place underground in a soil chamber constructed during the larval stage.

Egg

The female lays her eggs on a suitable host plant.

Quick Facts

Lifespan	3-12 months
Distribution	Worldwide
Habitat	Arroyos, grasslands, and shrublands
Predators	Crows, coyotes, foxes, hawks, ravens, and snakes
Seasons active	Spring to late fall
Host Plants	Any dead or dried-up plant matter
Diet of adults	Rotten or decayed plant material

Identifying the Damage Caused by Them

The larval and adult stages are huge pests regarding crops and anything produced by the food industry. They will destroy plants and insulating matter by feeding on them while also spreading diseases.