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mallet are one of the most various chemical group in the world , and the darkling beetles ( Tenebrionidae ) are the fifth largest family .
There are over 1,000 species of darkling mallet in the United States , spreading to other parts of North America , and over 20,000 known species worldwide .
However , while you may be familiar with a few darkling mallet metal money as grownup , they ’re more commonly screw in larval form as mealworm or imitation wireworms .
Darkling beetles ( sometimes referred to as litter beetles ) get their name partially due to their primarily black or chocolate-brown colouration , and partially because the majority of mintage are nocturnal .
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What Are Darkling Beetles?
The familyTenebrionidaeis a nemesis to gardeners in both larval and grownup sort .
It undergo a complete metamorphosis burning its lifespan rhythm , with the egg , larva , pupae , and adults of a single specie often looking completely unrelated to each other .
Adult beetle vary greatly in shape and sizing .
They may be ellipse , wide , long , curved , or flattened ; and American species range from ⅛ to ¾ ” inches long and worldwide species ranging up to 1 ½ ” inches .
Their colour wander from rusty Robert Brown to blue - black or boring black .
Despite being so varied , darkling pixie have sealed physical law of similarity , let in :
Meanwhile , darkling beetle larvae incline to be farsighted than their grownup forms , quantify on average between ⅓ and 1/2 “ in long .
Their wan icteric to dark browned colour often leads to confusing them with wireworm .
Darkling beetle tend to take up residence in sheltered spot near flora stuff . Some common places these scavenger prefer to hide out under include :
What Damage Do Mealworms Cause?
These flightless ground beetles can do major damage in with child act , but even a handful can cause problem .
The lesser mealworm will attack both seedlings and the foliage of many garden crops , include :
Additionally , some species of mealworm mallet are recognize to transmit plant disease and poultry sponger .
They will gather where there ’s wimp feed or extra plant thing , such as compost piles .
A few mintage have earned the nickname flour beetle because they will attack lay in texture .
reckon on the species , they may even damage insulation or wooden structures .
How To Control Darkling Beetle Pests?
start by removing leaf litter , weeds , or any other food source which might attract grownup darkling beetle prior to plant .
give way up any dirt clods and keep fruit raised above ground .
Only plant seedlings once they ’ve reached about 6 ” inches in height .
void using alfalfa around a darkling mallet plague and allow the landed estate to go fallow periodically .
add together natural or chemic decomposers to race up the composting of any organic subject above or below earth , including on fallow spaces
Wrap sticky tapearound fruit Tree to capture any beetles trying to climb to the yield .
When possible , avoid using mulch or lava stone footing cover , as these bring home the bacon more places for the beetles to enshroud .
doll , lizard , and rodents all love to snack on darkling beetles , a fact that may prove either advantageous or problematic .
You may also take to apply an insecticide such as Zenprox EC to tackle an existing plague .
When using any insect powder , be sure to check the label to secure it covers darkling beetles or their larval stage .
