Culturing mealworms as food for animals in captivity

Martín, Robert D.; Rivers, John; Cowgill, U. M.

doi:10.1111/j.1748-1090.1976.tb00130.x

Cited by 60 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The first two foods provide mostly carbohydrates [Anderson et al, 1972;Anderson & Gill, 1975;Coimbra-Filho & Mittermeier, 1976;Bearder & Martin, 1980], whereas their animal prey are the principal source of protein [Martin et al, 1976]. C. geoffroyi showed two peaks in gum consumption over the course of the day, around 0800 hr (higher) and 1500 hr (lower).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Activity budget of Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil

Passamani

1998

Am. J. Primatol.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Activity budget of Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil

Passamani

1998

Am. J. Primatol.

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“…More recently the nutritional content of selected species of cultured insects has been studied because of their role as food for captive insectivorous reptiles, birds, and mammals kept either in zoos or as pets by hobbyists [Jones et al, 1972;Martin et al, 1976;Frye and Calvert, 1989;Pennino et al, 1991;Barker, 1997] Most of these studies have concentrated on analyses of moisture, protein, fat, ash, calcium, and phosphorus, although some more extensive analyses have been published [Barker et al, 1998]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores

2002

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A variety of invertebrates are commonly fed to insectivorous animals by both zoos and hobbyists, but information as to the nutrient composition of most commercially raised species is limited. Adult house crickets, house cricket nymphs (Acheta domesticus), superworms (Zophobas morio larvae), giant mealworm larvae, mealworm larvae and adult mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), waxworm larvae (Galleria mellonella), and silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins. Earthworms (Lumbricus terresstris) were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash, ADF, NDF, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins A and D 3 . Proximate analyses were variable, with wide ranges found for moisture (57.9-83.6%), crude protein (9.3-23.7%), crude fat (1.6-24.9%), ADF (0.1-7.4%), NDF (0.0-11.5%), and ash (0.6-1.2%). Energy content ranged from a low of 674 kcal/kg for silkworms to 2,741 kcal/kg for waxworms.Using an amino acid scoring pattern for rats, the first limiting amino acid for all invertebrates tested was the total sulfur amino acid methionine+cystine. Deficiencies by nutrient (% of samples deficient vs. NRC requirements for rats on a dry matter (DM) basis) were as follows: calcium (100%), vitamin D 3 (100%), vitamin A (89%), vitamin B 12 (75%), thiamin (63%), vitamin E (50%), iodine (44%), manganese (22%), methioninecystine (22%), and sodium (11%). Deficiencies by invertebrate species (number of nutrients deficient vs. the NRC requirements for rats on a DM basis) were as follows: waxworms (9), superworms (8), giant mealworm larvae (7), adult mealworms (6), mealworm larvae (5), adult house crickets (4), house cricket nymphs (4), silkworms (4), and earthworms (4). These data provide a basis for determining nutrient intake of captive insectivores, and will aid in the development of gut-loading diets to provide captive insectivorous animals with appropriate levels of necessary nutrients. Zoo Biol 21: 269-285, 2002.

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“…Supplementary feeding may also have affected the bats' health. Mealworms are not the natural prey of bats and they are known to be relatively high in fat (Martin et al 1976), but were the staple diet of the bats prior to release. However, the fact that the disease was detected after the cessation of supplementary feeding, and recurred long after it had stopped, suggests that this was not a causal factor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the short-term success of a translocation of lesser short-tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata

Ruffell¹,

Parsons

2009

Endang. Species. Res.

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Translocation is a powerful tool that has been used in the conservation of a wide range of taxa. However, few translocations of bats have been attempted and we know of no successes. The few translocations which have been attempted have either failed due to dispersal from the release site or have not been monitored sufficiently to determine the cause of failure. We assessed the shortterm success of a translocation of lesser short-tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, where 3 release methods were used to minimise dispersal or mortality: bats were juveniles, were maintained in captivity at the release site, and were provided with supplementary food and roosts following release. Success was assessed by determining if founders remained at the release site and maintained condition (weight). Recapture showed that at least 9 of the 20 bats remained at the release site 232 d after release. There was weak evidence that bats lost weight, although final weights were comparable to those of bats from a natural population. However, all bats captured 8 mo after release had damaged, infected ears and some were balding. The problem was treated but recurred, and bats were returned to captivity. Our results are the first to demonstrate that translocated bats can remain at their release site and survive. However, disease may be an issue in future translocations.

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Culturing mealworms as food for animals in captivity

Cited by 60 publications

References 20 publications

Activity budget of Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil

Activity budget of Geoffroy's marmoset (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil

Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores

Assessment of the short-term success of a translocation of lesser short-tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata

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