EFFECT OF MOISTURE ON GROWTH RATE, DEVELOPMENT AND LIPID COMPOSITION OF TWO STRAINS OF THE YELLOW MEALWORM, TENEBRIO MOLITOR L. (COLEOPTERA. TENEBRIONIDAE)
Loading...
Files
Date
1970
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
The effects of water on growth rate, development, life cycle completion, and lipid composition were compared with two strains (A and B) of Tenebrio molitor L. reared on wheat shorts at 80° F. Water was found to accelerate larval growth, development, and life cycle completion of both strains. Strain B grew and developed faster, and completed imaginal ecdysis much earlier than strain A reared both with and without water. The total life cycle periods from egg to adult ecdysis for strain A were 213 and 177 days and for strain B 166 and 99 days in dry food and when water was available, respectively. Strain A molted more times with an average of 16 instars than strain B which had an average of 12 to 15 instars regardless of the availability of water. Average weights of prepupal larvae, pupae, and adults, and adult longevity and ecdysis of both strains were significantly increased when water was available. These increases were significantly higher in strain B than in strain A under both conditions. Water showed a tendency to reduce larval and pupal moralities in both strains, but data were insignificant.
Description
Keywords
null
Citation
No. of references 36