Amount Of Frass Research Articles

Make it a standard? The creation and variability assessment of a consensus standard protocol for Tenebrio molitor larvae feeding trials

Abstract Interest in the nutrition of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) larvae is on the rise, leading to an increase in publications on this topic. The absence of a standard protocol and resulting differences in experimental designs reduces comparability among studies and impedes research on mealworm nutrition. To address this, a consensus standardised protocol was developed specifically for the evaluation of mealworm larval growth and performance in feeding trials. The efficacy of this protocol was evaluated through an international ring test involving seven partners using two wheat brans as dry feed (a standard bran and a local bran) at 27 °C and 60% relative humidity. As experimental units, plastic crates filled with 2.1 kg of bran and 10,000 4-week-old larvae were used with six replicates. Agar gel was provided as wet feed ad libitum. The mean individual larval weight and the number of larvae per crate were determined weekly until either three or more replicates ran out of feed or pupation exceeded 10%. At harvest, the total larval fresh biomass and amount of frass was determined. Larval samples were taken for chemical analysis. To assess the protocol, the within (repeatability) and between (reproducibility) laboratory variability was calculated for each parameter. The repeatability was good (limit at 12% (standard) and 14% (local)). The reproducibility was poorer with a limit 2.7 times higher for the standard feed (36%) and 3.8 times higher for the local feed (55%). For both feeds, the total larval fresh harvest, amount of frass and the larval protein concentration were the most consistent both within and among laboratories. The highest variability was observed at the early life stages and for the larvae ash content. The detailed consensus standard protocol and repeatability/reproducibility estimates can be used as basis for future mealworm feeding trials, comparing results and future improvements.

Susceptibility of Four Different Sorghum Varieties to Infestation by the Khapra Beetle

In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of four different sorghum varieties to infestation by the khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), as compared with wheat, which served as a 'control' commodity. In population growth assays, there was preference for population development on wheat compared to the different sorghum varieties. In contrast, there were no significant differences in total population development among the four varieties of sorghum. However, the proportion of immature stages (larvae, pupae) in relation to the adult stage varied significantly among the different varieties. Moreover, significant differences were noted among the commodities tested regarding the final weight decrease, as well as the amount of frass and kernel damage. Our study clearly demonstrates noticeable differences in the susceptibility of the varieties to T. granarium infestation. These results show that this species can develop on different varieties of sorghum, and variety selection should be further considered in a host-plant resistance-based management program for T. granarium.

The Effect Fogging of Corn Kernels to Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Population

Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a common pest of warehouses in Indonesia not only of corn kernels. The fog or smoke is used for many purposes especially for food, but as naturally pesticides that are rarely used in agriculture. The population of S. zeamais needs to be controlled to avoid huge damage of corn, including weight and texture loss. The common naturally method is fogging on kernel before and during storage. The purpose of this study was to assess the biological performance of S. zeamais including a number of individual and the amount of frasses in each treatment with different fogging duration. The research was conducted using a completely randomized design method with four levels of fogging duration of 0, 15, 30, 45 minutes under three replications for each treatment. The results showed that the duration of fogging had a significant effect on S. zeamais population. In contrast, the amount of frass was not significantly different between treatment. The 45 minutes was indicated as the most effective time controlling S. zeamais population. Fogging is an eco-friendly and cheapest method controlling pest rather than chemical treatments. The fogged kernels indicated the significant effect to control infestation of S. zeamais in corn kernels. This current research also revealed diverse utilize of smoke, either as natural smoke or liquid for pesticide.

English

Laboratory studies were conducted at the University of Port Harcourt to evaluate the response of dried yam chips as a host for Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). The test was conducted using four improved yam varieties namely; Adaka, Ame, Nwokpoko and Obiaturugo. Ten grams of each substrate of the dried yam chips were placed in plastic containers of 300 ml and each container was infested with three pairs of one to three days old P. truncatus. Data on insect developmental periods in the various dried chips, as well as the susceptibility of the substrates, weight gain on the chips and the weight of frass produced were recorded. The beetles exhibited differential levels of preference for the yam chips from different varieties. They developed better on Obiaturugo and Nwokpoko than on Adaka and Ame. The mean developmental period of P. truncatus on yam dried chips were 96.33 and 65.33 days for Obiaturugo and Nwokpoko, respectively but failed to develop on Adaka and Ame. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in weight between the amount of frass produced on Obiaturugo and that produced on the other substrates. Also, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in weight gained between Nwokpoko and the other substrates. The study has shown that of the dried chips from the four varieties of yam, only Nwokpoko and Obiaturugo were found to be possible hosts of P. truncatus and thus need protection against the pest during storage. Key words: Prostephanus truncatus, infestation, yam, chips.

Types of frass produced by the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus during gallery construction, and host suitability of five tree species for the beetle

We studied the biology of the ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus in the logs of five tree species to determine: (1) the relationship between the amount of frass produced by beetles and tunnel length, (2) the relationship between frass shape and the morphological characteristics of P. quercivorus mouthparts, and (3) the suitability of five tree species for P. quercivorus reproduction. Five logs each from healthy Quercus crispula, Q. serrata, Castanea crenata, Sorbus japonica, and Cryptomeria japonica trees were used in this experiment. The results showed that there was a linear relationship between the amount of frass and tunnel length. Whenever powdery frass was produced, larvae were found in the gallery in the log, while fibrous frass was present only in galleries that contained just adults. The mouthparts of adults were completely sclerotized, which likely accounts for the fibrous frass production. Host preference of P. quercivorus was examined at two stages using five tree species. The first stage is digging initiation, which concerns male preference for digging a tunnel. More holes were made by males on S. japonica and Q. serrata logs, while fewer holes were made on C. japonica logs. The second stage is characterized by female orientation, mating, and progeny development. Platypus quercivorus could complete its lifecycle only in the two Quercus spp.

Mensuration of frass drop for evaluating arthropod biomass in canopies: a comparison among Cryptomeria japonica, Larix kaempferi, and deciduous broad-leaved trees

We estimated the effect of rainfall on the loss of collected frass dropped by arboreal herbivorous arthropods in plantations of Cryptomeria japonica and Larix kaempferi and in a stand of deciduous broad-leaved trees, using frass traps with two different time intervals of collection. A simple model to correct for the effect of rainfall is proposed. The residual proportion of frass drop per week ( h) was estimated to be 0.90 for C. japonica and 0.92 for L. kaempferi. Neither estimate was correlated with precipitation. In the deciduous broad-leaved tree plot on the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between h and precipitation; h did not exceed 0.68 at a precipitation of 80 mm per week. Using these constant ( C. japonica and L. kaempferi) or variable (deciduous broad-leaved trees) values of h, we corrected for the mass of frass collected at 2-week intervals. The annual loss of frass mass was estimated to be about 14% for C. japonica, 12% for L. kaempferi, and 34% for the deciduous broad-leaved trees. The overall trends in seasonal changes in the amounts of frass were similar before and after the correction. There was a single peak in summer of each year in the C. japonica and broad-leaved tree plots, and two peaks in the L. kaempferi plot. Our model to correct for errors caused by rainfall in the direct measurement of frass drop will make estimates more precise, particularly in wet seasons.

Effect of temperature and leaf age on growth versus moulting time of a generalist caterpillar fed plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Abstract. The simultaneous effects of daytime temperature (20°C versus 30°C) and leaf age (new versus intermediate‐aged) on a generalist insect herbivore were examined. Fourth‐instar Spilosoma congrua caterpillars were tested on plantain (Plantago lanceolata), one of this lepidopteran species’host plants, for which the major defensive chemicals, iridoid glycosides (aucubin and catalpol), could be quantified. Cool temperature depressed amount of food eaten, amount of frass, and consumption and growth rates, and increased the proportion of time spent in the non‐feeding period (from head‐capsule slippage to ecdysis). Average iridoid glycoside concentration was 2.8% dry weight (d.w.) in new leaves and 1.6% d.w. in intermediate‐aged leaves. When fed new leaves, the caterpillars had a higher efficiency of conversion of ingested food to biomass and a higher growth rate than those fed intermediate‐aged leaves. Furthermore, the proportion of time spent in the non‐feeding period was prolonged by a diet of intermediate‐aged leaves. A second experiment showed that the percentage dry weight of aucubin, catalpol and total iridoid glycosides increased over 24 h in incubated, excised leaves, which meant that the caterpillars in the first experiment experienced somewhat higher iridoid glycoside concentrations than the levels in fresh leaves. Overall, these results indicate that this generalist should prefer new plantain leaves over older leaves even though new leaves contain higher concentrations of iridoid glycosides.

Growth Pattern Alterations in Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Larvae after Parasitization by Apanteles marginiventris, Campoletis grioti, Chelonus insularis, and Eiphosoma vitticole

Parasitization of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae by Apanteles marginiventris (Cresson), Campoletis grioti (Blanchard), Chelonus insularis Cresson, and Eiphosoma vitticole Cresson reduced maximum larval weights by 97, 96, 70, and 62%, respectively compared to 6th instar nonparasitized larvae. Parasitized larvae produced significantly less frass and had smaller head capsule widths. Parasitization increased the duration of the instar during which the parasite destroyed its host. Apanteles marginiventris and C. grioti destroyed host larvae in the 4th instar and larvae parasitized by E. vitticole died in the 5th instar. Eggs parasitized by C. insularis were destroyed as larvae in the 4th (41%) and 5th (59%) instars. Larvae parasitized by A. marginiventris gained the least amount of weight, produced the least amount of frass, had the shortest life expectancy, did not live past the 4th instar, and had the smallest head capsule widths.

Laboratory Investigations of the Frass ofScolytus multistriatus(Coleoptera: Scolytidae) as a Source of Pheromone.

The frass of virgin female Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham) evokes an excitant-turning reaction from walking male beetles in a laboratory olfactometer; frass from virgin males or mated beetles is relatively inactive. Walking virgin-female beetles are less responsive than males to virgin-female frass. Fragments of host material in the frass probably contribute to its stimulatory activity, especially in frass from males or mated beetles, but it is only partly responsible for the activity of virgin-female frass. We believe a pheromone contained in or on the fecal pellets is responsible for most of the activity of virgin-female frass. A pentane extract of virgin-female frass elicits the same response from male beetles as an equivalent amount of frass.

Labeling Larvae of the Elm Sawfly with P3212

Fourth-instar larvae of the elm sawfly, Cimbex americana americana Leach, were successfully tagged by ingesting radioactive foliage. The systemic property of P33 was used by injections of a 3-microcurie solution into a cotton band placed around a white willow, Salix alba L., branch. Translocation of the isotope solution into the leaves provided enough radioactive food substance to effectively locate the tagged larvae with a portable Geiger-Muller counter. A “true” larval assimilation index was established by taking the difference between the counts per minute for the larvae and for the ejected frass. Irregularity in this computed index was explained by a combination of factors involving the cessation of feeding and excretion of an abnormally high amount of frass from the digestive tract.