The effects of density on the growth, survival and feed conversion ofTenebrio molitor larvae
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An appropriate stocking density is beneficial to run an efficient business and improve animal welfare. In most traditional livestock this is defined as the number of animals per area. However, the larvae of the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), one of the most important commercial insects, live both on top and inside their feed. In this study we assessed if different areal stocking densities (2D, range 0.6-10.4 larvae/cm2) resulted in a different growth rate and feed efficiency when the volumetric stocking density remained constant (1 larvae/cm3). In a first experiment the larvae received wheat bran once at the start, but in the second experiment wheat bran was added throughout the experiment to ensure that the larvae remained at 1 larvae/cm3. The results indicate that, given a stable volumetric density, the areal density can vary between 0.6 and 10.4 larvae/cm2 without extreme variation in growth, survival or feed efficiency. The lowest assessed densities did result in a slightly lower average weight and yield. A maximum yield per volume of feed was observed at 2.5 larvae/cm2 (feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.76 dry feed/live larvae). Yet, the overall highest yield was observed at 10.4 larvae/cm2 as the increased areal density far outweighed the slight decrease in FCR. In conclusion: when mealworm larvae are provided with an equal volume of wheat bran the influence of areal density is low and could be as high as 10.4 larvae/cm2 for optimal yield.
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Barragan-Fonseca K.B., Dicke, M. and Van Loon, J.J.A., 2018. Influence of larval density and dietary nutrient concentration on performance, body protein, and fat contents of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 166(9): 761-770.
'Influence of larval density and dietary nutrient concentration on performance, body protein, and fat contents of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) ' () 166 Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata : 761 -770.
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Deruytter, D., Coudron, C.L. and Claeys, J., 2021. The influence of wet feed distribution on the density, growth rate and growth variability ofTenebrio molitor. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 7(2): 141-149.
'The influence of wet feed distribution on the density, growth rate and growth variability ofTenebrio molitor ' () 7 Journal of Insects as Food and Feed : 141 -149.
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'Effect of larval density on food utilization efficiency ofTenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) ' () 108 Journal of Economic Entomology : 2259 -2267.
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'Growth performance and feed conversion efficiency of three edible mealworm species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on diets composed of organic by-products ' () 73 Journal of Insect Physiology : 1 -10.
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The effects of density on the growth, survival and feed conversion ofTenebrio molitor larvae
In: Journal of Insects as Food and FeedSearch for other papers by D. Deruytter in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by C.L. Coudron in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
An appropriate stocking density is beneficial to run an efficient business and improve animal welfare. In most traditional livestock this is defined as the number of animals per area. However, the larvae of the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), one of the most important commercial insects, live both on top and inside their feed. In this study we assessed if different areal stocking densities (2D, range 0.6-10.4 larvae/cm2) resulted in a different growth rate and feed efficiency when the volumetric stocking density remained constant (1 larvae/cm3). In a first experiment the larvae received wheat bran once at the start, but in the second experiment wheat bran was added throughout the experiment to ensure that the larvae remained at 1 larvae/cm3. The results indicate that, given a stable volumetric density, the areal density can vary between 0.6 and 10.4 larvae/cm2 without extreme variation in growth, survival or feed efficiency. The lowest assessed densities did result in a slightly lower average weight and yield. A maximum yield per volume of feed was observed at 2.5 larvae/cm2 (feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.76 dry feed/live larvae). Yet, the overall highest yield was observed at 10.4 larvae/cm2 as the increased areal density far outweighed the slight decrease in FCR. In conclusion: when mealworm larvae are provided with an equal volume of wheat bran the influence of areal density is low and could be as high as 10.4 larvae/cm2 for optimal yield.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 187 | 180 | 16 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 282 | 275 | 30 |