Dietary Vitamin D3 Impact on Survival and Development of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Reared on an Artificial Diet

Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae were reared on an artificial diet containing vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, at concentrations of 0.01, 0.10, or 1.00% (g/100 g of diet) to the adult stage under laboratory conditions. Survival rate and development through adult emergence were observed and recorded. Survival rate in postlarval stages was significantly reduced in response to increased vitamin D3 concentrations. The tested concentrations of vitamin D3 (0.01–1.00%) decreased adult emergence in comparison with the control; however, only the highest concentration (1.00%) prolonged the duration of the adult stage. The 1.00% concentration also significantly reduced pupal survival rate from mean (± standard error) of 85.00% ± 0.35% to 63.75% ± 1.14% for pupation, whereas adult emergence decreased to 42.50% ± 0.25%. However, it prolonged the duration of adults from 40.67 ± 1.80 d for the control to 46.07 ± 2.28 d. Although the highest concentration showed a prolongation in duration of the pupal and adult stages, we observed no statistical effects compared with the control group. Our results, however, indicate that vitamin D3 may play a fortifying role in development as a nutritional additive for larval development, or as a toxin that may be used in small concentrations on postlarval developmental stages. Further research should assess if increased concentrations improve or deteriorate life table parameters in target insects.