Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
references to Gibbium psylloides outside the Old World are most likely this species
Explanation of Names
Gibbium aequinoctiale Boieldieu 1854
Identification
Elytra fused and inflated, completely glabrous (smooth). Can only be confused with
Mezium, but pronotum distinctive.
often confused with
G. psylloides(1)Range
Cosmopolitan but more common in warm climes
(3), and very few records in Europe; origin unknown ("tropical, subtropical"); found in stored goods across NA
(4)(1)Habitat
prefer dark areas, mainly in houses, flour mills, occasionally warehouses, hospitals, stores
(3)Food
wide variety of dead organic materials; may be a dry stored product pest stored seeds, wheat, bran, stale bread, decaying animal and vegetable refuse, rat droppings, stored wheat, baby food, dog biscuits, cereals, woolens, towels, leather, paste, and tallow and opium cake
Remarks
has a remarkable ability to avoid drying out and can withstand temperatures as high as 56°C (133°F) (Yoder et al. 2009)
Print References
Yoder JA, Chambers MJ, Tank JL, Keeney GD. 2009. High temperature effects on water loss and survival examining the hardiness of female adults of the spider beetles Mesium affine and Gibbium aequinoctiale. 8 pp. Journal of Insect Science 9: 68.
