The Effect of Different Nutrient Compositions on the Larval, Pupal and Pre-Adult Developmental Periods and Adult Weight of $Tenebrio$ $molitor$ L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

In this study the effect of different types of nutrient mixtures on $Tenebrio$ $molitor$’s larval, pupal and pre-adult developmental periods and adult weight were investigated. The trials were conducted under continuous dark laboratory conditions of 27±2ᵒC temperature and 60±5% relative humidity. 9 different nutrients (dry yeast, corn flour, fine white flour, whole wheat flour, wholemeal flour, wheat flour, wheat germ, oatmeal and rye flour) were mixed in different amounts and 5 different nutrient compositions were used in the trials. As a conclusion, pre-adult total developmental period was 122.93±12.13 days in the first nutrient, 96.77±7.65 days in the second nutrient, 125.42±2.14 days in the third nutrient, 100.47±9.85 days in the fourth nutrient and 143.90±1.21 days in the fifth nutrient compositions, respectively. The shortest developmental period was found to occur in the second nutrient composition. No significant difference was found between pupal periods in different nutrient compositions. The shortest larval periods were found in the second nutrient composition as 90.66±6.57 days and in the fourth nutrient composition as 93.99±9.93 days, respectively. In adult weights, the differences between the second and fourth nutrient compositions and the differences between the first and fifth nutrient compositions were statistically insignificant. The highest adult weight was found in the third nutrient composition (121.35±3.3 mg).