U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Biological Control of Pests Research: Stoneville, MS
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Stoneville, Mississippi Biological Control of Pests Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Morales Ramos, Juanitem
                                            Rojas, Maria

                                                         - *Guadalupe*item
                                            Shapiro Ilan, Daviditem
                                            TEDDERS, WALKER - SOUTHERN INSECTARIES
  Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2009
                                    Publication  Date: 4/1/2010
                                    Citation: Morales Ramos, J.A., Rojas, M.G., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Tedders, W.L. 2009. Developmental plasticity in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): Analysis of Instar Variation in Number and Development Time under Different Diets. J. Entomol. Sci. 45(2):75-90.Interpretive Summary: The yellow mealworm is a commonly mass produced beetle that is currently sold in the United States as food for captive mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The yellow mealworm is different from most other insects in its ability to change the number of molts it goes through during development and the time it requires to complete development. A better knowledge of these mechanisms of stadia length and instar number variation in T. molitor could improve techniques to reduce the development time of this insect. Our research showed that nutritional supplements can be used to speed up development and improve survival. This could be advantageous for the commercialization of this insect by providing industry with the production flexibility to match changes in the demand of the product.
                                Technical Abstract: The variation in instar number and the pattern of sequential instar development time of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was studied under 4 different diet regimes. Addition of dietary supplements consisting of dry potato or a mix of dry potato and dry egg whites significantly reduced the number of larval instars and total development time. The pattern of sequential stadia length showed regularity and low variability in instars 5 to 9. Stadia length continuously increased between instar 10 and the last instar before pupation (P-1). Instar number significantly impacted total development time and was also significantly correlated with stadia length. The length of each stadium was significantly reduced as the protein content in diets was increased. The length of the last stadium (P-1) was regular within food treatments regardless of sequential instar number, but P-1 was also significantly affected by nutrition in a similar way as all the sequential stadia. The pattern of instar variation is discussed in regard to the insertion of new instars based on variation of stadia length.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov