Determination of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) nutritional value as an animal and human food supplementation

For many decades insects have been used as food sources and supplementation due to their availability and easiness in rising that is much less burdensome for environment than animal husbandry and breeding. Mealworms are typically used as a pet food for fish and the birds. Additionally they are good for their high protein content. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional value and chemical composition of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as afresh and sun dried larvae. Fresh and dried of mealworm contained 52.14 and 60.21% protein, respectively. This protein was also rich in amino acids such as Leucine, Lysine, Arginine and Serine. Fatty acid was detected with high value of Oleic acid, Linoleic acid and Palmetic acid in fresh and dried of mealworm. The determination of mineral content of mealworm are shown considerable amount of vitamins and minerals. The result of this study showed that fresh, dried and powdered larva is a high-grade product to be applied as a supplement to meals inclusion for animal and human nutrition

Comparative management of Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by convenient pesticides and non-chemical practices in a double rice cropping system

The inclination of rice growers towards double cropping system in north of Iran has raised new concerns about the excessive release of broad-spectrum pesticides, particularly organophosphates, in the environment. In this study, the efficiency of three insecticides and an integrated pest management (IPM) program for management of the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lep: Crambidae), in double cropping system was investigated under field condition. According to the results, one accurate application of hexaflumuron EC 10% (1.5 L/ha) or diazinon EC 60% (1.5 L/ha) for each generation of the pest resulted in significant reduction in dead heart and white head damage and increase in yield performance when compared with one application of fipronil G 0.2%, diazinon G 10% and diazinon EC 60% + diazinon G 10% as well as two application of diazinon EC 60% + diazinon G 10%. Additionally, considerable effect of IPM programs (mechanical, physical, and biological practices) on suppression of pest damage and improvement of yield performance was also observed. Given the environmental problems associated with excessive application of diazinon and fipronil, hexaflumuron, as an insect growth regulator with specific mode of action, can be efficiently integrated with other non-chemical methods for successful management of Ch suppressalis in double cropping systems