Development, Longevity and Fecundity of the False Wireworms Pterohelaeus Darlingensis and P. Alternatus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Ii. Effect of Food Type.

Pterohelaeus darlingensis Carter and P. alternatus Pasc. were reared under constant temperatures on 10 different foods in the laboratory in Australia. In P. darlingensis, wheat, barley and sorghum resulted in the shortest larval development periods, longest pupal periods and lowest pre-imaginal mortality. Egg-laying rates were highest on wheat, barley and maize and lowest on oats and soyabean. No females were produced after feeding on wheat straw, and no eggs were laid after feeding on linseed and turnip weed. Only wheat, barley, maize and sorghum (in descending order) allowed an increase in population. In P. alternatus, wheat, sorghum and barley resulted in the shortest pre-imaginal development with the least mortality. Egg-laying rates were highest on wheat, maize and sorghum and lowest on barley and oats. No eggs were laid by females fed on linseed. Wheat, sorghum, maize, sunflower, barley and soyabean allowed a positive population growth. These results are discussed in relation to control of the tenebrionids by crop rotation.