Short Development Time Research Articles

The Influence of Host Aphids on the Performance of Aphelinus asychis.

Simple SummaryBiological control is one of the most environmentally friendly and economically sound alternatives to chemical insecticides in many agricultural systems. How to improve the biological performance and mass-rearing methods of natural enemies has become the main factor restricting the application of biological control. Aphelinus asychis Walker is an important aphid parasitic wasp and has been successfully used to control several pest aphids in greenhouses and fields. In this study, we compared the biological performance and stress tolerance of A. asychis, which was reared on different aphids. The findings in this study will be useful for mass-rearing and releasing of A. asychis to control many pest aphids in greenhouses and fields.The aphid parasitoid Aphelinus asychis Walker is an important biological control agent against many aphid species. In this study, we examined whether the rearing host aphid species (the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae) affect the performance of A. asychis. We found that A. pisum-reared A. asychis showed a significantly larger body size (body length and hind tibia length) and shorter developmental time than S. avenae-reared A. asychis. There was no difference in the sex ratio between them. The longevity of A. pisum-reared A. asychis was also significantly longer than that of S. aveane-reared A. asychis. Furthermore, A. pisum-reared A. asychis presented stronger parasitic capacity and starvation resistance than S. aveane-reared A. asychi. In addition, host aphid alteration experiments showed that A. asychis only takes two generations to adapt to its new host. Taken together, these results revealed that A. pisum is a better alternative host aphid for mass-rearing and releasing of A. asychis. The body size plasticity of A. asychis is also discussed.

Enhancement of the virtual design platform for modeling a functional system architecture of complex cabin systems

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a fundamental approach for the end-to-end use of digital models in the development of complex systems. The aviation industry in particular, where system complexity is constantly increasing, needs new concepts and methods to overcome ecological and socio-economic challenges. Therefore, domain-specific models are needed for the design and evaluation of systems to support the various system investigations, such as requirements management, installation space optimization, or failure analyses. An end-to-end coupling and linking of these mostly heterogeneous systems offer many advantages (e.g. shorter development times) over working with isolated digital sub-models, natural language documents, and purely physical prototypes. In addition, digitalization allows global and interdisciplinary collaboration of multiple teams of experts on the same virtual product. Since this approach is particularly promising for the configuration of aircraft cabins, a virtual development platform is developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for the conceptual design of the aircraft cabin and its systems. As a result, virtual prototypes of cabin configurations are quickly generated to allow new concepts to be visualized and investigated at an early design stage. Extending the conceptual cabin system design process with a functional system architecture and executable system architecture models promotes information traceability, early failure detection, and requirements verification. The methodology used for this purpose is presented in this paper. The systems modeling language (SysML) is used to build a model for the functional depiction of cabin systems and to link it to existing models of the conceptual cabin design process. The modeling is performed exemplarily for the passenger service functions. Subsequently, the results are automatically transferred to the virtual development platform to experience the generated cabin concept.

Introducing the MeVCube concept: a CubeSat for MeV observations

Despite the impressive progress achieved both by X-ray and gamma-ray observatories in the last few decades, the energy range between ∼ 200 keV and ∼ 50 MeV remains poorly explored. COMPTEL, on-board the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO, 1991-2000), opened the MeV gamma-ray band as a new window to astronomy, performing the first all-sky survey in the energy range from 0.75 to 30 MeV. More than 20 years after the de-orbit of CGRO, no successor mission is yet operating. Over the past years many concepts have been proposed, for new observatories exploring different configurations and imaging techniques; a selection of the most recent ones includes AMEGO, ETCC, GECCO and COSI.We propose here a novel concept for a Compton telescope based on the CubeSat standard, named MeVCube, with the advantages of small cost and relatively short development time. The scientific payload is based on two layers of pixelated Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe) detectors, coupled with low-power read-out electronics (ASIC, VATA450.3). The performance of the read-out electronics and CdZnTe custom designed detectors have been measured extensively at DESY [1]. The performance of the telescope is accessed through simulations: despite a small effective area limited to a few cm2, MeVCube can reach an angular resolution of 1.5° and a sensitivity comparable to the one achieved by the last generation of large-scale satellites like COMPTEL and INTEGRAL. Combined with a large field-of-view and a moderate cost, MeVCube can be a powerful instrument for transient observations and searches of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events.

Suitability of monotypic and mixed diets for development, population growth and predation capacity of Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

We quantified the life table parameters and predation capacity of a generalist predatory mite, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan on five monotypic diets, including Tetranychus urticae Koch (TSSM) eggs in the presence (SW) and absence (SN) of webs, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (GHWF) eggs (G), honeydew (H), and maize pollen (M) as well as three mixed diets, including SN + M, SN + G, and G + M. Our results showed that the individuals fed on the mixed diets had a considerably shorter developmental time and pre-oviposition period (APOP), higher oviposition days, higher fecundity and population growth rate than those raised on the monotypic diets. Furthermore, we found that the mixed diet of TSSM and GHWF eggs was the most favorable diet, resulted in the highest fecundity and population growth rate, shortest developmental time and APOP. While TSSM eggs alone in the presence of webs and honeydew were the worst diets resulted in the longest developmental time, lower oviposition day, higher fecundity and population growth rate. Our data determined that TSSM has more nutritional benefits than GHWF for T. bagdasarjani. We observed the positive effects of pollen addition to prey on the predatory mite's immature and adult life-history characters; however, it reduced the predation rate. Overall, maize pollen could enhance ecosystem services provided against spider mites and whiteflies by positively impacting the increase of T. bagdasarjani population. This predator may be more effective when two prey species are available than when only one species is present.

Driving Robot for Reproducible Testing: A Novel Combination of Pedal and Steering Robot on a Steerable Vehicle Test Bench

Shorter development times, increased standards for vehicle emissions and a greater number of vehicle variants result in a higher level of complexity in the vehicle development process. Efficient development of powertrain and driver assistance functions under comparable and reproducible operating conditions is possible on vehicle test benches. Yet, the realistic simulation of real driving environments on test benches is a challenge. Current test procedures and new technologies, such as Real Driving Emission tests and Autonomous Driving, require a reproducible and even more detailed simulation of the driving environment. Due to this, the simulation of curve driving in particular is gaining in importance. This results from its significant influence on energy consumption and Autonomous Driving functions with lateral guidance, such as lane departure and evasion assistance. Reproducibility can be additionally increased by using a driving robot. At today’s vehicle test benches, pedal and shift robots are predominantly used for longitudinal dynamic tests in the performed test procedures. In order to meet these new test automation requirements for vehicle test benches, the cooperative operation of pedal and steering robots is needed on a test bench setup suitable for this purpose. In this publication, the authors present the setup of a vehicle test bench to be used in automated and reproducible vehicle-in-the-loop tests during steering events. The focus is on the test-bench-specific setup with steerable front wheels, the actuators for simulating the wheel steering torque around the steering axle and the robots used for pedals and steering wheel. Results from various test series are presented and the potential of the novel test environment is shown. The results are reproducible in various test series due to the closed-loop operation without human driving influences at the test bench.

Mitigating CubeSat confusion: Results of in-flight technical demonstrations of candidate tracking and identification technologies

CubeSats and nanosats offer affordable access to space. Their standardized size and shape have allowed a CubeSat industrial ecosystem to flourish, which has lowered costs for acquisition and launch, and vastly shortened development times. This has enabled access to space for many nontraditional actors in the space arena. What previously might have taken years to develop can now be accomplished in months, and for significantly less money. This has allowed educational institutions to fly their own CubeSats. It has also allowed numerous developing countries their first satellite. It has allowed more traditional aerospace companies and government agencies very rapid cycle times for research and development efforts. However, when scores of CubeSats are launched en masse, many cannot be immediately identified, some not even after months, if ever. This inability to identify the launched CubeSats from their cohort is what gives rise to “CubeSat confusion”. There are many factors to mitigate this issue, but chief among them would be the ability of a CubeSat owner/operator to independently identify their CubeSat, perhaps using one of various specialized techniques or technologies to aid in this regard.One of the major launch aggregators, Spaceflight Inc., has announced the opportunity for identification and tracking technology providers to fly candidate devices aboard their Sherpa orbital transfer vehicle as hosted payloads, allowing on-orbit technical demonstration and raising the technology readiness level for the devices. We report the results of several technical demonstrations, their potential utility to the CubeSat community, and future plans. The demonstrations will be of interest to both CubeSat/nanosat owner/operators, as well as Space Traffic Management government regulators.

Effect of wavelength on development and demographic parameters of Scolothrips longicornis fed on two-spotted spider mites

The wavelength of light can affect reproduction and development of arthropods. In the present study, we examined the reproduction and development of predatory thrips Scolothrips longicornis Priesner (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) fed on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) eggs, under five wavelengths: white (all wavelengths), blue (475 nm), green (580 nm), yellow (620 nm) and red (675 nm), at 25 ± 0.5 °C, 16L: 8D and 60 ± 10% rh. Light wavelength did not significantly influence female and male preadult duration, male adult duration, and male total longevity. White and blue light yielded the longest oviposition periods. All life table parameters varied significantly among treatments. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm d−1) was lowest in red light wavelength (0.112 ± 0.009) and highest in white wavelength (0.171 ± 0.008) and blue light wavelength (0.168 ± 0.008). The present research demonstrates that white light conditions positively influence S. longicornis with shorter development time and improved reproductive performance. This information will be beneficial in mass production of S. longicornis for biocontrol programs involving T. urticae.

Multirotors From Takeoff to Real-Time Full Identification Using the Modified Relay Feedback Test and Deep Neural Networks

Low-cost real-time identification of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dynamics is an active area of research supported by the surge in demand and emerging application domains. Such real-time identification capabilities shorten development time and cost, making UAVs’ technology more accessible, and enable a wide variety of advanced applications. In this article, we present a novel comprehensive approach, called DNN-MRFT, for real-time identification and tuning of multirotor UAVs using the modified relay feedback test (MRFT) and deep neural networks (DNNs). The main contribution is the development of a generalized framework for the application of DNN-MRFT to higher order systems. One of the notable advantages of DNN-MRFT is the exact estimation of identified process gain, which mitigates the inaccuracies introduced due to the use of the describing function method in approximating the response of Lure’s systems. A secondary contribution is a generalized controller based on DNN-MRFT that takes off a UAV with unknown dynamics and identifies the inner loops dynamics in-flight. Using the developed framework, DNN-MRFT is sequentially applied to the outer translational loops of the UAV utilizing in-flight results obtained for the inner attitude loops. DNN-MRFT takes on average 15 s to get the full knowledge of multirotor UAV dynamics, and without any further tuning or calibration, the UAV would be able to pass through a vertical window and accurately follow trajectories achieving state-of-the-art performance. Such demonstrated accuracy, speed, and robustness of identification pushes the limits of state of the art in real-time identification of UAVs.

Software Defect Prediction: State of the Art Survey

Software has evolved into a critical component in today's world. The quantity of faults in a software product is connected to its quality, which is also restricted by time and cost. In terms of both quality and cost, software faults are costly. The practice of tracing problematic components in software prior to the product's launch is known as software defect prediction. Defects are unavoidable, but we should strive to keep the number of defects to a bare minimum. Defect prediction results in shorter development times, lower costs, less rework, higher customer satisfaction, and more dependable software. As a result, defect prediction procedures are critical for achieving software quality and learning from prior errors.In this study, we conduct a review of the literature from the last two decades and look into recent advancements in the field of defect prediction.

A Survey on CubeSat Missions and Their Antenna Designs

CubeSats are a class of miniaturized satellites that have become increasingly popular in academia and among hobbyists due to their short development time and low fabrication cost. Their compact size, lightweight characteristics, and ability to form a swarm enables them to communicate directly with one another to inspire new ideas on space exploration, space-based measurements, and implementation of the latest technology. CubeSat missions require specific antenna designs in order to achieve optimal performance and ensure mission success. Over the past two decades, a plethora of antenna designs have been proposed and implemented on CubeSat missions. Several challenges arise when designing CubeSat antennas such as gain, polarization, frequency selection, pointing accuracy, coverage, and deployment mechanisms. While these challenges are strongly related to the restrictions posed by the CubeSat standards, recently, researchers have turned their attention from the reliable and proven whip antenna to more sophisticated antenna designs such as antenna arrays to allow for higher gain and reconfigurable and steerable radiation patterns. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the antennas used in 120 CubeSat missions from 2003 to 2022 as well as a collection of single-element antennas and antenna arrays that have been proposed in the literature. In addition, we propose a pictorial representation of how to select an antenna for different types of CubeSat missions. To this end, this paper aims is to serve both as an introductory guide on CubeSats antennas for CubeSat enthusiasts and a state of the art for CubeSat designers in this ever-growing field.

KARAKTERISTIK DIMENSI BERAS LOKAL PROPINSI SUMATERA UTARA DAN KAJIAN KERENTANANNYA TERHADAP Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest and causes damage to rice in storage. This study aimed to study the dimensional characters and determine the susceptibility of rice from germplasm paddy local in Dairi Regency, North Sumatra Province, against S. oryzae during storage. The types of local rice are Sibatubara, Siramos, Sijarum, Siangkat, Si100 hari, Sibosur, Sirukun, Sicantik, and Sigabe. Evaluation susceptibility of rice used the method without choice. The results showed that local rice in Dairi Regency, North Sumatra Province, was grouped into rice long–very long and medium-sized and had different levels of susceptibility against S. oryzae. Rice of Sibatubara, Sijarum, Siramos, and Sicantik was classified as susceptible, while rice Sijarum, Si100 hari, Sirukun, and Siangkat classified as moderate-susceptible. Rice Sigabe were classified moderate against S. oryzae during storage. The susceptibility of rice was influenced by the large number of F1 and short median development time. The damage of higher causes rice classified as susceptible and moderate-susceptible. Dimensions of rice are a source susceptibility rice against S. oryzae.

Differential Hatching, Development, Oviposition, and Longevity Patterns among Colombian Aedes aegypti Populations.

Simple SummaryAedes aegypti is a mosquito that transmits viruses responsible for several diseases in humans, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. It is crucial to study mosquito populations from different countries and regions because control of disease transmission with insecticides can be more effective if adjusted to each population’s characteristics. For this reason, we determined several features of mosquitoes captured in different cities of Colombia: Neiva, Bello, Itagüí, and Riohacha. These included the length of their lifespan, the number of eggs they lay, and the stages in which they die. We found specific patterns for each population. This knowledge will help control programs determine the optimal times to apply insecticides and make surveillance, as well as the type of insecticide used.Dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are arboviral diseases for which there are no effective therapies or vaccines. The only way to avoid their transmission is by controlling the vector Aedes aegypti, but insecticide resistance limits this strategy. To generate relevant information for surveillance and control mechanisms, we determined life cycle parameters, including longevity, fecundity, and mortality, of Colombian Ae. aegypti populations from four different geographical regions: Neiva, Bello, Itagüí, and Riohacha. When reared at 28 °C, Bello had the shortest development time, and Riohacha had the longest. Each mosquito population had its own characteristic fecundity pattern during four gonotrophic cycles. The survival curves of each population were significantly different, with Riohacha having the longest survival in both males and females and Bello the shortest. High mortality was observed in mosquitoes from Neiva in the egg stage and for Bello in the pupae stage. Finally, when mosquitoes from Neiva and Bello were reared at 35 °C, development times and mortality were severely affected. In conclusion, each population has a unique development pattern with an innate trace in their biological characteristics that confers vulnerability in specific stages of development.

Recent advances to accelerate purification process development: A review with a focus on vaccines

The safety requirements for vaccines are extremely high since they are administered to healthy people. For that reason, vaccine development is time-consuming and very expensive. Reducing time-to-market is key for pharmaceutical companies, saving lives and money. Therefore the need is raised for systematic, general and efficient process development strategies to shorten development times and enhance process understanding. High throughput technologies tremendously increased the volume of process-related data available and, combined with statistical and mechanistic modeling, new high throughput process development (HTPD) approaches evolved. The introduction of model-based HTPD enabled faster and broader screening of conditions, and furthermore increased knowledge. Model-based HTPD has particularly been important for chromatography, which is a crucial separation technique to attain high purities. This review provides an overview of downstream process development strategies and tools used within the (bio)pharmaceutical industry, focusing attention on (protein subunit) vaccine purification processes. Subsequently high throughput process development and other combinatorial approaches are discussed and compared according to their experimental effort and understanding. Within a growing sea of information, novel modeling tools and artificial intelligence (AI) gain importance for finding patterns behind the data and thereby acquiring a deeper process understanding.

RESEARCH OF OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS FOR 3D-PRINTING OF BUILDING PRODUCTS

Raising of problem. Innovative technologies in construction include 3D printing of objects for various purposes. At the heart of 3D printing technology is the principle of layer-by-layer creation of a solid model. This technology is based on the use of construction 3D printers, which are divided into printers that print the entire building and printers that create separate structural elements for the installation of objects. By design, 3D printers are of the flight type (mainly in the form of bridge structures) and with cantilever work equipment in the form of manipulators. Innovative technologies in construction include 3D printing of objects for various purposes. At the heart of 3D printing technology is the principle of layer-by-layer creation of a solid model. This technology is based on the use of construction 3D printers, which are divided into printers that print the entire building and printers that create separate structural elements for the installation of objects. By design, 3D printers are of the flight type (mainly in the form of bridge structures) and with cantilever work equipment in the form of manipulators. Bridge-type printers allow you to get better products due to the precise positioning of the working equipment, especially the extruder, which directly feeds the mixture. In the short time of development of 3D printing in construction (15…16 years) created a large number of different 3D printers of the bridge type, but there is no information on their study and comparative analysis of characteristics, which will improve their design to improve the quality of construction. Purpose. Comparative analysis of the characteristics and performance of variant designs of bridge-type 3D printers. The results of the study. Based on the analysis of printer versions, an advanced 3D printer in the form of a bridge structure with an extruder with two outlets was developed. This can significantly increase the productivity of manufacturing products. Conclusion. Different types of construction bridge-type 3D printers are considered, which have shortcomings and require improvement. An advanced 3D printer design has been developed that allows multiple products to be printed simultaneously. The analysis of the indicators of the considered variants of 3D printers showed that the use of an improved printer will reduce 1,9… 2,7 times the cost of manufacturing 1 m3 of products and 1,8… 2,6 times reduce the metal content compared to other printers.

Growth and Reproductive Performance of Edible Grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) on Different Artificial Diets.

Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), also known as the 'edible grasshopper', 'African edible bush-cricket', and 'nsenene', is regarded as one of the most promising edible insect species that can be used for food, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is insufficient information on suitable diets and their effects on survival, adult weight, fecundity, and developmental time of this species, which are preconditions for large-scale production. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the effects of 12 diets (wheat bran, rice seed head, finger millet seed head, soya bran, maize bran, fresh maize comb, millet flour, chicken feed egg booster, simsim cake, sorghum seed head, powdered groundnut, and germinated finger millet), that are known to be accepted by R. differens, on their growth and reproductive parameters. The survival rate, developmental time, and adult weight varied considerably on the various diets. The highest nymphal survival rates, shortest development times, and highest adult weights were recorded for both sexes when fed fresh maize comb and germinated finger millet diet. Lifetime fecundity of females fed on germinated finger millet also was, on average, more than twice higher compared to other diets. The present study demonstrated that relatively inexpensive and locally available germinated finger millet, fresh maize seed (at the silking stage on the comb), sorghum seedhead, and finger millet seedhead could be successfully used to rear and sustain populations of R. differens. Our findings contribute to the future design of an effective mass-rearing system for this economically important edible insect.

The role of genetically engineered soybean and Amaranthus weeds on biological and reproductive parameters of Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

In soybean fields containing insecticide- and herbicide-resistant genetically engineered varieties, some weed species have increasingly become difficult to manage and may favor the population growth of secondary pests like Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To test this hypothesis, we measured life-history traits, population growth parameters and adult nutrient content of S. cosmioides reared on foliage from four Amaranthus species, from Cry1Ac Bt and non-Bt soybean varieties, and on meridic artificial diet. Larvae reared on A. palmeri and A. spinosus had a shorter development time (5-7 days) than larvae raised on the soybean varieties and A. hybridus. Armyworm survival probability was zero on A. viridis and highest (80% and 71%) on soybeans and A. palmeri. The latter and the artificial diet produced the heaviest larvae and pupae, in contrast to the non-Bt soybean variety. Body nutrient content diverged mostly for adults reared on artificial diet compared with those raised on the soybean varieties. The intrinsic rate of population increase (overall fitness) was 27.88% higher for the armyworms on A. palmeri, Cry1Ac Bt soybean and artificial diet compared with those on non-Bt soybean, A. spinosus and A. hybridus. Cry1Ac soybean fields infested by some Amaranthus weeds, especially A. palmeri, are conducive to the population growth of S. cosmioides. Integrated pest management programs may be needed to properly manage S. cosmioides in soybean fields, with surveillance for population peaks and judicious control measures when needed. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

COVID-19 vaccines: awareness, attitude and acceptance among undergraduate University students

BackgroundThe myths and conspiracy theories on the COVID-19 vaccine cause people to be hesitant and maleficent towards the vaccine.ObjectivesTo assess COVID-19 vaccine-related awareness, attitude and acceptance and to assess reasons for refusing the vaccine among undergraduate Jimma University Institute of Health students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 387 undergraduate students of Jimma University Institute of Health. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data and summarized by descriptive statistics. A multivariable regression model was used to assess predictable variables for good awareness and positive attitude. A p value of < 0.05 was used to declare the statistical association.ResultsOnly 41% of the students had a good awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than half, 224 (57.9%) of them had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Age [(AOR: 95% CI) 1.18 (1.03, 1.35)] and having good awareness [(AOR: 95% CI) 2.39 (1.55, 3.68)] were associated with positive attitude of students towards the COVID-19 vaccine. However, only 27.1% of the students were willing to take the vaccine for COVID-19. Afraid of long term effects (49.1%), not being convinced of the safety standards (38.8%), lack of information about the vaccine (37.2%), and too short time for development (39.9%) was common reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.ConclusionsAccording to the present study, the majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. However, only less than half of the participants had a good awareness of the vaccine. In addition, the acceptability of the vaccine is low. Afraid of long term effects, not being convinced of the safety profile, lack of information about the vaccine, and the time used for the development were the common reasons for refusing the vaccine. Therefore, all stakeholders are advised to increase awareness, positive attitude, and acceptance of the vaccine.

Product Tests in Virtual Reality: Lessons Learned during Collision Avoidance Development for Drones

Virtual reality (VR) and real-world simulations have become an important tool for product development, product design, and product tests. Product tests in VR have many advantages, such as reproducibility and shortened development time. In this paper, we investigate the virtual testing of a collision avoidance system for drones in terms of economic benefits. Our results show that virtual tests had both positive and negative effects on the development, with the positive aspects clearly predominating. In summary, the tests in VR shorten the development time and reduce risks and therefore costs. Furthermore, they offer possibilities not available in real-world tests. Nevertheless, real-world tests are still important.

Effects of domestication on quality control parameters of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)

AbstractThe Queensland fruit fly (Q‐fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a major horticultural pest in Australia. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly used in area‐wide integrated management of Q‐fly, as well as for eradication of outbreaks in Q‐fly‐free regions. Quality control (QC) procedures are important to monitor and maintain high standards of mass‐reared insects for SIT. Effective use of QC procedures, and the setting of meaningful standards, requires a clear understanding of the short‐term factors that can cause changes in key parameters, such as failures in production systems, and also of the longer‐term effects of domestication on the performance of mass‐reared colonies. Artificial rearing conditions impose substantial selection pressures that can lead to changes in performance, and hence changes in the expected baseline values in QC assays. We investigated the effects of domestication on QC parameters of old and young Q‐fly colonies originating from three distant geographical locations in Australia: Sydney (Generation &gt;100 and 7), Brisbane (Generation 59 and 14) and Cairns (Generation 29 and 9). Standard QC parameters including development time, pupal recovery, pupal weight, adult emergence, sex ratio, flight ability, fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity were assessed. Regardless of their origin, older Q‐fly colonies had lower egg hatchability, shorter developmental time, higher fecundity, higher survival under stress and greater longevity. We emphasize the importance of understanding the effects of continued domestication on QC measures when setting standards for assessment of fruit fly strains used in SIT programmes, particularly when using strains that are regularly replaced or infused with wild stock.

Effect of Temperature and Photoperiod on Development, Survival, and Growth Rate of Mealworms, Tenebrio molitor.

Insects are a potential substitute for conventional meat and can be part of a sustainable human diet due to their valuable nutrients and relatively low environmental production impact. One species that is already produced for human consumption and livestock feed is the mealworm, i.e., larvae of Tenebrio molitor. Knowledge of the effects of temperature, and particularly photoperiod, on mealworm development is scarce, but crucial for the improvement of rearing. Therefore, the effects of three temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C), in combination with three photoperiods (long-day-16 h:8 h light:dark; short-day-8 h:16 h light:dark, and constant darkness) on mealworm survival, developmental time, and growth rate were tested. We describe a significant effect of temperature on survival rate, developmental time, and growth rate. Furthermore, significant effects of photoperiod on developmental time and growth rate were found. At 25 and 30 °C and constant darkness, the highest survival and growth rate, along with the shortest developmental time, were observed. Our data can be used to improve the mass rearing of mealworms for an efficient production of food and feed.