IDENTIFICATION OF STORED PRODUCT <i>CRYPTOLESTES</i> SPP. (COLEOPTERA: CUCUJIDAE): A RAPID TECHNIQUE FOR PREPARATION OF SUITABLE MOUNTS

Abstract

Abstract Treatment of Cryptolestes species in boiling chloral‐phenol, followed by mounting directly in a modified Berlese's fluid, provides a rapid method of preparation of these insects for identification. Photographs of the diagnostic genitalic structures in situ are given for specimens mounted in this way. The setation of the elytra provides a convenient additional character for the separation of the six economic species of Cryptolestes.