Defensive glands in tenebrionid beetles

Abstract

Tribolium confusum, T. castaneum and Tenebrio molitor have been recorded as serious and<br>dominant pests of stored grain and grain products. The defensive glands in Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium<br>confusum and T. castaneum Consist of two reservoirs located between the 5th and the 6th visible sternites<br>and each opens on the last visible sternum beside the anus. The glands are evident on the outer surface<br>and extend from the basal to the middle portion of the reservoir.<br>The size of defensive glands in Tenebrio molitor was slightly larger than that of Trlbolium confusum<br>or Tribolium castaneum. These defensive glands might secrete the benzoquinone and derivatives as men-tioned<br>by many authors.