Notes on the biological development of the darkling beetle Blaps nefrauensis nefrauensis Seidlitz, 1893 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract Several endemic species of Blaps occur in Tunisia, and the nefrauensis has been reported Moulares (urban zone west-central Tunisia), where it lives reproduces home gardens old buildings. The aim this work is to study life cycle darkling beetle, considering both field laboratory rearing conditions. As a result, beetle different developmental stages (egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, adult) that last about 15 months. Each year during same period, adults emerge (early summer) expire (late autumn), larvae hatch pupate summer). There only one generation per year. Females began laying eggs late July. were ovoid, white, 2.7 mm length 1.5 width. Embryogenesis took an average nine days. first instar at initially 4.5 long ivory white color. A brief description newly egg hatched larva was provided; thus, nerve fibers innervating apical setae antennae ligula detected. Further light microscopic examination embryo before hatching from pointed out antennal sensilla are protected embryogenesis stage.