Nutrition value of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor was analyzed due to increasing demand of usage as a protein source for domestic animals and even further for human consumption. The purpose of the present work was to determine the chemical compostion of the Tenebrio molitor larvae, adult that were maintained under standard condition for further usage of mass-rearing system and its exuvium, and excreta. Tenebrio molitor, larvae, adult, exuvium and excreta contained 46.44, 63.34, 32.87, and 18.51% protein respectively, suggested that even excreta could be used as an additional supplement in food recycling process. This protein was also rich in amino acids such as Isoleucine, leucine and Lysine which all met the nutritional value recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Fatty acid composition was detected with high component of oleic acid (C18:1), along with linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16) in all adult, larvae, exuvium and excreta. These oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16) components were the same or even highly contained in excreta of mealworm 22.29, 47.19 and 19.17% respectively. Longer chains of unsaturated fatty acids consisted of two to three double bonds are known as healthy product was recognized in large amount. These results show new ways to consume mealworms and its waste for animal and human consumption.

Most ectotherms mature at a larger body size in colder conditions, a phenomenon known as the temperature-size rule. While a number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain this rule, little work has been done to understand it from a nutritional perspective. We have used the final-instar caterpillars of Spodoptera litura to investigate how dietary protein∶carbohydrate (P∶C) balance influences the relationship between temperature and body size. The strength and direction of the thermal reaction norm for body size were significantly altered by dietary P∶C balance. The slope of the reaction norm was nearly flat for caterpillars raised on a balanced food ([Formula: see text]) but was significantly negative for those on nutritionally imbalanced foods (1∶5 or 5∶1), especially when carbohydrates were in considerable excess. These nutrient-dependent effects of temperature on body size were caused mainly by corresponding changes in body lipid storage. When allowed to choose between imbalanced diets, caterpillars increased their preference for carbohydrates to meet high energy demands at higher temperatures. The slope of the thermal reaction norm for body size was substantially reduced by such a temperature-driven shift in nutrient preference, indicating that the impact of high temperature on body size was buffered by altered food selection. This study highlights the importance of macronutrient balance as a key factor modulating the relationship between temperature and body size in ectotherms and provides a novel approach for understanding the temperature-size rule.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ambient thermal environments on the development of swallowtail butterflies (Sericinus montela Gray). Developmental durations and survival rates of S. montela were examined at two crucial developmental stages, embryonic and larval development, at varying temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C. As expected, our results indicated that increasing temperatures decreased the developmental duration and survival rate of the eggs. However, the larvae and pupae showed maximum survival rates at 20.0°C and 25.0°C, and the represented durations were similar to those of the eggs. Larval development was stage-specific, revealing that the fourth and fifth instars at the later stages were more susceptible to temperature variation. When considering both parameters, the optimal development of S. montela occurred within the temperature range of 20.0-25.0°C. The lower threshold for the complete development of S. montela from eggs to eclosion of adults was calculated at 10.6°C by linear regression analysis. The estimated value is similar to that of other endemic insects distributed in temperate climate zones, which indicates that S. montela belongs to a small group of swallowtails adjusted to low ambient temperatures. From the results, we predict that the full development of S. montela could be achieved within the temperature range of 17.5-30.0°C. Embryonic development ceased at both test temperature extremes, and no further larval development proceeded after the third instar at 35.0 o C. These results suggest that embryogenesis can be significantly influenced by slight variations in the ambient thermal environment that fall below the optimal range.

No abstract