Factors affecting the development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) on wheat

The suboptimal development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) larvae on unsupplemented whole-wheat flour of four varieties is attributed to vitamin deficiency, with the vitamin identified in one case as riboflavin. In two varieties, notably of Triticum durum, vitamin supplementation alone does not sufficiently improve the nutritional value, and the levels of α-amylase inhibitor, Tribolium-protease inhibitor, and wheat β-amylase (free and bound) have been assayed. No clear correlation could be drawn between the levels of the individual factors and the ability of T. castaneum larvae to develop on the wheat varieties. Neither could the variable development be attributed to the starch quality of the various wheat varieties.