PREMIX DEVELOPMENT FROM GALLERIA MELLONELLA L. (PIRALIDAE) LARVAE, FARMED ON FEED WITH MEDICINAL HERBS ADDITION (USING THE EXAMPLE OF LEUZEA SAFFLOWER)

The aim of research is to study the morphophysiological parameters of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) larvae grown on feed with the addition of safflower Leuzea for the prospective use of the larvae as feed for productive farm animals. G. mellonella larvae were fed dried bees with the addition of safflowerLeuzea (Rhaponticum carthamoides) in the ratio of 90 : 10; 80 : 20; 50 : 50 as a source of vitamins and ecdysterones. The medicinal plant was ground in a multi-stage centrifugal impact mill to different sizes – less than 140 µm; 40–250; 250–315; 315–500 µm. To assess the effect of Leuzea on the vital activity of larvae, the following criteria were used: weight, length, width of the head capsule (age), and survival. A biochemical analysis of the larvae was conducted (nitrogen content was assessed using the titrimetric method of determining nitrogen according to Kjeldahl, crude fat – according to Soxhlet, crude ash was determined by calcination and weighing the resulting residue. The average biomass of larvae in the group with the addition of Leuzea at the end of the experiment was significantly higher than the control values. High morphometric indices were noted in the group with a granulometric size of Leuzea particles less than 140 μm and a feed and medicinal herb ratio of 50 : 50. The average weight of larvae in this group was 0.17 g (P ≤ 0.05), length – 2.24 cm, head capsule – 1.93 mm (P ≤ 0.05), survival – 83.33 %. Biochemical analysis of the larvae of the experimental group showed that the content of crude protein and crude fat of the larvae was higher than the control values by 42.4 and 25.2 %, respectively. This fact can be explained by obtaining a greater amount of mineral components and ecdysteroids from the medicinal herb for intensive growth of the insect.