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.

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.

The diapause of Telegryllus emma, the Emma field cricket, was investigated to study the ecological characteristics of the species. Changes in the volume, oxygen consumption, and water content of T. emma eggs were followed from oviposition. An increase in volume, oxygen consumption and water uptake occurred from 7 to 8 days following oviposition. The oxygen consumption of the eggs increased slowly for 7 days following oviposition, but then decreased until 15 days following oviposition. These results showed that a physiological change at diapause initiation affected the volume, water content, and oxygen consumption of the T. emma eggs. An experimental investigation of egg hatching showed that the eggs could be stocked at 10 o C for 40 days with a 14 day pre-period after laying and yield, 62.1% hatchability under these conditions. Maintaining the temperature at approximately 10 o C was favorable for hatching. Another experiment on egg hatching showed that the storage of eggs at 10 o C from 40 to 180 days would ensure satisfactory, hatching capacity.

No abstract

The effect of an artificial diet on developmental rate, a life history parameter, was examined for the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus. Artificial insect diets are an essential component of many insect rearing systems that produce insects for research purposes. Complex agargelled diets are generally prepared in large batches and used shortly after preparation because the degradation of perishable diet ingredients, such as vitamins and fatty acids, can adversely affect insect quality (Brewer 1984). However, the timing of diet preparation may be inconvenient, and large batches wasteful, if the unused excess is discarded. The percentage of pupation varied considerably, with no significant differences among diets, on which a maximum pupation percentage of 83% was observed. Pellet-type diets were investigated with the aim of developing a more easily prepared diet. The extrusion of the artificial diet under high temperature and pressure may induce desirable chemical and physical changes in the extruded product. The purpose of the present study was to develop an artificial diet for rearing P. xuthus.