Looking more narrowly at the genus tribolium (i.e.
Are Darkling Beetles Harmful. Darkling beetle is the common name of the large family of beetles tenebrionidae. Also, a number of darkling beetles are known to hit their abdomens against the ground.
Blister Beetle Basics from acis.cals.arizona.edu
The darkling beetle is a small bug that lives in harsh and dry conditions, and the nature of its shell makes it a master water collector. The female darkling beetle lays hundreds of tiny, white, oval eggs, which hatch into. They act like stink beetles, but i've never been able elicit an odor from them (i've heard if you squash them you can smell them, but i cant' bring myself to do it).
They come from many sources.
It only discusses the beetles in the context of their use by humans, and, while this is important, it should also contain information on the beetles in a natural setting. However, they do have an awful calcium:phosphorus ratio. Looking more narrowly at the genus tribolium (i.e. Its skin darkens and hardens as it ages.