Introducing a Technique in Sustaining Adult Worker Bees of Heterotrigona itama (Cockerell, 1918) in Laboratory to Facilitate Future Health Research on Kelulut Honey

@#Introduction: The study is introducing a laboratory technique to sustain the longevity of Heterotrigona itama stingless bees collected from the farm in order to facilitate future health research on Kelulut honey. Methods: The worker bees were held in laboratory at 26 ± 2 oC, 57 ± 8 % relative humidity (RH) and 12:12 hours (light:dark period) in a cup covered with meshed cloth and installed with an inverted-wick system consists of a drinking straw with the bottom end loosely plugged with cotton wool. The artificial diet was pipetted into the straw to wet the cotton wool. The bees were divided into five diet groups, namely a) unfed - control, b) distilled water, c) purified tap water, d) non-carbonated isotonic drink or e) 5% honey solution. Feeding activity and survival of worker bees were observed daily. Results: The worker bees are seen to frequent and lick the cotton wool wetted with artificial diets. Comparison between the artificial diets, Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis showed that the 5% honey solution and non-carbonated isotonic drink have significantly (P < 0.05) extended the longevity of the worker bees with 50% survival probability at least 8 days. When the similar holding and feeding technique used for the bees from commercial farms, the 50% survival probability was extended to 14 days. Conclusion: The inverted-wick system with the use of 5% honey solution or isotonic drink as the artificial diet is capable to hold the H. itama worker bees at least for a week with survival above 50% for laboratory experiments.

New method for rearing Spodoptera frugiperda in laboratory shows that larval cannibalism is not obligatory

New method for rearing Spodoptera frugiperda in laboratory shows that larval cannibalism is not obligatory. Here we show, for the first time, that larvae of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), can be successfully reared in a cohort-based manner with virtually no cannibalism. FAW larvae were reared since the second instar to pupation in rectangular plastic containers containing 40 individuals with a surprisingly ca. 90% larval survivorship. Adult females from the cohort-based method showed fecundity similar to that already reported on literature for larvae reared individually, and fertility higher than 99%, with the advantage of combining economy of time, space and material resources. These findings suggest that the factors affecting cannibalism of FAW larvae in laboratory rearings need to be reevaluated, whilst the new technique also show potential to increase the efficiency of both small and mass FAW rearings.

Red ginseng extract increases the functional components of silkworm Bombyx mori L. used as an anti-diabetes medicinal resource / 동물의과학연구지

The anti-diabetes mechanism of silkworm Bombyx mori L. powder and extracts was found to inhibit the activity of alpha-glycosidase. The major functional component of silkworm powder was 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), which exerts a blood glucose-lowering effect. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of the supplements, including red ginseng extract on the functional components of silkworm. Fifty silkworm larvae were divided into the control group (Con, N=50), group A (A, artificial diet 95% and mulberry leaf powder 5%), group B (B, artificial diet 95% and mulberry powder 5%), group C (C, artificial diet 95% and Rubus coreanus remainders 5%), group D (D, artificial diet 95% and red ginseng extract 5%), and group E (E, artificial diet 95% and yeast powder (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Body weights and length of silkworm larvae showed significant improvement in group A, D. In particular, the growth rate in group D (artificial diet 95% and red ginseng extract 5%) was larger than that of Con. In addition, the results showed that 1-DNJ concentration was significantly largest in group D. From these results, it is concluded that the addition of red ginseng extract may be effective for larval growth and 1-DNJ accumulation in silkworm rearing with an artificial diet.

Fontes não-convencionais de proteína na primeira alimentação do bagre sul americano (Rhamdia quelen) / Unconventional protein sources in the first feeding of South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes fontes de proteína na primeira alimentação de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) sob condições de laboratório. Foram testadas três rações balanceadas secas: ovo de peixe (TA), hidrolisado de carcaça do peixe (TB) e fígado de frango cru (TC), na quais foram analisadas, pelo crescimento, a biomassa final produzida e a sobrevivência das larvas. O ensaio teve uma duração de 20 dias, e as rações foram fornecidas ad libitum. As larvas alimentadas com ovo de peixe apresentaram os melhores resultados com peso médio individual de 340mg, sobrevivência de 57 por cento e biomassa final de 1.350mg, diferindo significativamente dos demais tratamentos. Os resultados indicaram que a formulação de rações balanceadas com ovos de peixes fornecida na primeira alimentação de larvas de jundiá pode tornar-se uma alternativa promissora na larvicultura dessa espécie.

This study aimed to evaluate different proteins sources in first feeding of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) under laboratory conditions. Three balanced dry rations were tested, fish roe (TA), biological fish silage (TB) and crude chicken liver (TC) evaluating specific growth rate, final biomass produced and survival rate. The experiment was performed in 20 days, and all the rations were provided ad libitum. Larvae fed with fish roe presented better results, with 340mg of individual mean weight, 57 percent of survival rate and 1.350mg of final biomass, differing significantly with the other treatments. The results show that the inclusion of fish roe in balanced rations offered at the first feeding of jundiá larvae may become a promising alternative for the hatchering of the species.

Influência do substrato alimentar sobre o desenvolvimento de Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) / Influence of nutritional substrates on the development of Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Aspectos biológicos de Diaphania hyalinata L. foram estudados quando as lagartas foram criadas em dietas natural e artificial em condições de laboratório, a 25 ± 1ºC, umidade relativa de 70 ± 10 por cento e fotofase de 14h. Como dieta natural foi utilizada abóbora jacaré, pepino e abobrinha caserda e uma dieta artificial utilizada em criações de Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.), desenvolvida por Hensley & Hammond. As lagartas de D. hyalinata foram colocadas nos diferentes substratos e criadas por todo o ciclo. Observaram-se diferenças na duração do período larval, sobrevivência das larvas e pupas, longevidade do adulto e número de ovos entre os substratos. A dieta artificial a que mostrou de modo geral, mais adequada para a criação de D. hyalinata. Entre as dietas naturais, o pepino foi o que se apresentou mais adequado para criação desta praga.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the biological behaviour of melonworm at different natural and artificial diets. Squash cultivar jacaré, cucumber, summer squash and an artificial diets developed by Hensley & Hammond for the sugarcane borer were tried. The research was carried out in the Laboratório de Entomologia do Centro de Ciências Agrárias of the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, in climatized room at 25 ± 1ºC, relative humidity of 70 ± 10 percent and 14h photofase. The caterpillars fed on each substrate during the whole life cycle. Differences in duration of the larval period, larvae and pupae survival, adult longevity and number of eggs were registered between the substrates. The results show that the best diet for rearing is the artificial one. Between the natural diets the cucumber showed the best results.

Consumo e utilização de alimento por Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr. ) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Heliothis virescens (Fabr. ) e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em duas temperaturas / Food intake and utilization by Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr. ) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Heliothis virescens (Fabr. ) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at two different temperatures

O objetivo do trabalho foi, através de medidas de consumo e utilização de alimento, determinar, entre 25 e 30ºC, qual a temperatura mais adequada para criação de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) e Heliothis virescens (Fabr.) em dieta artificial. Foram estudadas 50 lagartas por espécie, individualizadas em recipientes de vidro de 8,5 cm de comprimento x 2,5 cm de diâmetro e mantidas a 25 e 30ºC, UR de 60±10 por cento e fotofase de 14h. Foram determinados, com base em matéria seca, o peso de lagarta no máximo desenvolvimento, do alimento consumido e das fezes eliminadas, e os índices nutricionais: taxa de consumo relativo (RCR), taxa de crescimento relativo (RGR), taxa metabólica relativa (RMR), digestibilidade aparente (AD), eficiência de conversão do alimento ingerido (ECI) e eficiência de conversão do alimento digerido (ECD). Para S. frugiperda a condição térmica mais adequada foi a de 30ºC, por proporcionar maior peso no máximo desenvolvimento, maior ganho de peso, maior razão de crescimento, maior ECI, maior ECD e menor custo metabólico. Por outro lado, tanto para H. virescens como para D. saccharalis, não houve diferença nos índices nutricionais, avaliados nas duas condições térmicas. Assim, por uma geração, e baseando-se em índices nutricionais, a temperatura mais elevada é recomendada para manutenção de S. frugiperda em laboratório. Para as outras espécies, é indiferente criá-las a 25 ou a 30ºC.

The goal of this work was to determine the most suitable temperature for rearing Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) and Heliothis virescens (Fabr.) in artificial diet, by means of measures of food intake and utilization between 25 and 30ºC. Fifty worms per species, individualized and kept in 8.5 cm long and 2.5 cm diameter glass containers were studied at the temperatures mentioned, 60±10 percent RH, and 14 hour photophase. Based on dry matter, one determined worm weight at maximum development, food consumed and feces eliminated at both conditions (25 and 30ºC) and the nutritional ratios: relative consumption ratio (RCR), relative growth ratio (RGR), relative metabolic ratio (RMR), approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD). The most suitable temperature for S. frugiperda was 30ºC since it provided higher weight at the maximum development, higher weight gain, higher growth ratio, higher ECI, higher ECD, and lower metabolic cost. On the other hand, no differences regarding nutritional rates were observed for either H. virescens or D. saccharalis evaluated at both thermal conditions. Thus, for one generation and based on nutritional rates, the highest temperature (30ºC) is recommended for laboratory maintenance of S. frugiperda. As for the other species, rearing at 25 or 30ºC is indifferent.