Developmental characteristics of Tenebrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in different instars

Diversity of digestive proteinases in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae.

The spectrum of Tenebrio molitor larval digestive proteinases was studied in the context of the spatial organization of protein digestion in the midgut. The pH of midgut contents increased from 5.2-5.6 to 7.8-8.2 from the anterior to the posterior. This pH gradient was reflected in the pH optima of the total proteolytic activity, 5.2 in the anterior and 9.0 in the posterior midgut. When measure...

A nuptially transmitted ichthyosporean symbiont of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, harbors a symbiont that has spores with a thick, laminated wall and infects the fat body and ventral nerve chord of adult and larval beetles. In adult males, there is heavy infection of the epithelial cells of the testes and between testes lobes with occasional penetration of the lobes. Spores are enveloped in the spermatophores when they are formed at the...

Phospholipids of Tenebrio molitor larvae

Phospholipids of Tenebrio molitor larvae were separated on columns of DEAE -cellulose and silicic acidHyflo Super Cel. The major phosphatide components were identified by various analytical procedures. Phosphatidyl choline was demonstrated to be the predominant phospholipid with a high percentage of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. A small amount of inositolcontaining phosphatides were present. Phosp...

Self-selection of two diet components by Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and its impact on fitness.

We studied the ability of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to self-select optimal ratios of two dietary components to approach nutritional balance and maximum fitness. Relative consumption of wheat bran and dry potato flakes was determined among larvae feeding on four different ratios of these components (10, 20, 30, and 40% potato). Groups of early instars were provided with a ...

Effects of Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) on larval growth of mealworms, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)