A laboratory experiment followed the growth of a flour beetle (Tribolium sp.) population over time. At first, the population increased dramatically, but later the growth slowed and the population size leveled off. Although food (the wheat flour in which they live) was still abundant, the flour beetles resorted to eating their own eggs when population densities got high. What can we conclude about cannibalism in this species?

Question

Biology

Ellie Wiley

28 April, 19:00

A laboratory experiment followed the growth of a flour beetle (Tribolium sp.) population over time. At first, the population increased dramatically, but later the growth slowed and the population size leveled off. Although food (the wheat flour in which they live) was still abundant, the flour beetles resorted to eating their own eggs when population densities got high. What can we conclude about cannibalism in this species?

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Patrick Casey · Answer 1

Cannibalism is a very essential factor regulating population dynamics of four beetle. After some days of feeding, the flour becomes conditioned by the beetles which can affect rate of cannibalism

Adults have a relatively lower rate of cannibalism. While its highest rate of cannibalism is at larvae stage

Flour conditioning is caused by the accumulation of feces, pheromones and ethylquinone - thus is repellent produced by the beetles.