The Suitability of Tobaccos for the Growth of the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne1

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Abstract
Of four varieties of tobaccos tested, the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorue (F.)) developed well on flue-cured, very slowly and with high mortality on Turkish and Maryland, and not at all on burley. This response had no direct relationship to the nicotine content, which was 1.72%, 1.02%, 1.56% and 4.17%, respectively. Growth was greatly stimulated by the addition of yeast or B-vitamins, but not by that of casein, glucose, or cholesterol. Major characteristics of insects reared on the various types of Tobacco fortified with yeast were: 1) optimal growth and survival on f1ue-cured; 2) slower growth and smaller adults but good survival on Turkish and Maryland; and 3) slow growth, small adults, and high mortality on burley. On a flour-plus-yeast diet nicotine up to 10% was well tolerated while it was harmful to two other insects, Tribolius and Tenebrio at 0.1%. In tobaccos, however, the tolerance was below 4%. It was concluded that the suitability of tobaccos for Lasioderma was dependent on: 1) the nicotine content; 2) the adequacy of nutrients; and 3) material which enhances the toxicity of nicotine.

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