Impact of Larval Competition on Life-History Traits of the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittny M Jones ◽  
Jeffery K Tomberlin
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Adult Longevity ◽  
Larval Competition ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), is economically important due to its use in waste management and as an alternative protein source for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. While industry promotes mass production of the black soldier fly, little is known about the impact of larval competition on development time, resulting immature and adult weight, or adult longevity. The goal of this research was to examine the life-history traits of black soldier flies when reared at four densities (500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 larvae/4-liter container) provided 54-g Gainesville diet at 70% moisture (feed rates of 0.027, 0.036, 0.054, and 0.108 g) every other day. Results were as expected with the lowest larval density (500) producing heavier individuals (by 26%) than the greatest larval density (2,000) across all life stages. In addition to weights, larvae reared at the lowest density developed 63% faster than those reared at the greatest density. In regard to pupal development time, those reared at the lowest larval density developed 3% slower than the greatest density. A 21% difference between the two extreme densities was found in survivorship to prepupal stage, with the lowest larval density having the greatest survivorship (92%) compared with the greatest larval density (70%). All densities displayed over 90% adult emergence rates. Such information is vital for optimization of the process of converting waste products to protein at an industrial scale with the black soldier fly.

Impact of age, size, and sex on adult black soldier fly [Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)] thermal preference

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
N.F. Addeo ◽  
C. Li ◽  
T.W. Rusch ◽  
A.J. Dickerson ◽  
A.M. Tarone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Thermal Gradient ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Thermal Preference ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
The Impact

Population growth and rapid urbanisation have increased the global demand for animal feed and protein sources. Therefore, traditional animal feed production should be increased through the use of alternative nutrient sources. Insects as feed are beginning to fill this need. One such insect is the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). However, to more effectively mass produce the black soldier fly, a better understanding of its thermal biology is needed. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of age, size, and sex on adult black soldier fly thermal preference. The thermal preference of adult black soldier flies was determined by exposing flies to a thermal gradient with a range of surface temperatures and monitoring their positions over time. An aluminium plate was used to create a linear thermal gradient where surface temperatures ranged from ~15-60 °C. Flies were distinguished by age (1-d-post-emergence vs 7-d-post-emergence), size (large vs small) and sex (male vs female) to assess whether thermal preference differed by specific life-history traits. Thermal preference for 7-d-post-emergence adults was significantly lower (19.2 °C) than 1-d-post-emergence adults (28.7 °C), respectively. Similarly, small adults selected significantly cooler (21.1 °C) temperatures than large adults (26.9 °C). No significant differences in thermal preferences were found between sex, regardless of age or size. In fact, males and females had similar thermal preference of 23.8 and 24.2 °C, respectively. This study reveals that multiple life-history traits of adult black soldier fly affect their thermal preference, and thus should be taken into consideration by mass rearing facilities to optimize production.

Characteristics of Attack of Coastal Timbers by Pselactus spadix (Herbst) (Col.: Curc.: Cossoninae) and an Investigation of its Life History

Holzforschung ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Oevering ◽  
A.J. Pitman
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Wood Surface ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Head Capsule ◽  
Adult Longevity ◽  
Larval Instars

Summary Pselactus spadix attack of marine timbers was characterised by circular emergence holes 1.48±0.05 mm in diameter and adult tunnels (1.49±0.34 mm) breaking through the wood surface. Larval tunnels measured 0.407–1.892 mm in diameter, initiated from adult tunnels and increased in diameter away from the adult tunnel terminating in frass free pupal chambers (1.6±0.3 mm × 3.5±0.7 mm). Observations of larval tunnel locations indicated oviposition occurred inside the adult tunnels. P. spadix life history was investigated in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) heartwood at 22±2 °C and 99±1% r.h. Mean adult longevity was 11.5±6.5 months, with mean post-mating longevity for males (11.7±2.9 months) significantly longer than for females (6.3±1.1 months). Adults of at least 2–3 months old were found mating in galleries, which, with observations of the larval tunnel pattern, indicated P. spadix can complete its life cycle without emerging from wood. Five larval instars were identified by measurement of 1722 head capsule widths and application of Dyar's law. Mean development time from 2nd instar to adult emergence was 70.5±6.9 weeks and pupation took 14.6±5.8 days. Development from 2nd instar to reproductive adult took between 17–20 months, with life cycle approximating 24 months at 22±2 °C and 99±1%

scholarly journals Effect of Intraspecific Larval Aggregation and Diet Type on Life-History Traits of Dermestes maculatus and Dermestes caninus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae): Species of Forensic Importance

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1(Special)) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Rodrigo C. Corrêa ◽  
Rodrigo R.F. Carmo ◽  
Ann R. George ◽  
Jeffery K. Tomberlin
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Dog Food ◽  
Dermestes Maculatus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Density Methods ◽  
Diet Type

Introduction: Numerous studies have examined the effect of abiotic factors on the development and survival of Dermestes and their importance for forensic entomology. Dermestes maculatus is one of the most known beetle species associated with corpses and D. caninus has little biological information available and no case report records. To better understand the life-history traits of those species we evaluated the impact of diet type and intraspecific larval density. Methods: Adult beetles were collected from human remains and colonies were kept under controlled conditions (27.0 ± 1.0 °C, 55.0% RU, and 12:12 L:D) and F1 generation was used to collect eggs. Newly emerged larvae were separated according to the treatments, being the combination of larval density (1, 15, 30 individuals), food (dried dog food or dried pork) and contact (with or without). We used factorial-ANOVA to test the individual and combined effect of both larval densities and diet on dependent variables, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Pearson correlations were carried out to evaluate the relationship between larval parameters for each species in each treatment. Results: Pork-based diet positively affected species fitness, with larvae being ca. 1.1 (D. caninus) and 1.7 (D. maculatus) times bigger and heavier than in dog food. Diet type also impacted the development time for both species. Conclusions: Data generated through the current study serve as a foundation for potential application of this species as an indicator of time of colonization in relations to a minPMI. However, validation is still needed to determine the accuracy and precision of these calculations.

Colonization patterns and life-history dynamics of Culex mosquitoes in artificial ponds of different character

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Dudley Williams ◽  
Annette Tavares-Cromar ◽  
Donn J. Kushner ◽  
John R. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Larval Density ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Artificial Ponds

The relationship between the biology and habitat of larval mosquitoes was studied in a series of artificial ponds of differing characteristics established across a terrestrial vegetation gradient from open fields to deep woods. The ponds were uniformly colonized by two widespread species of Culex, both characteristic of small bodies of water, including artificial, "container" habitats. First-instar larvae of Culex restuans were found within 2 days of filling the ponds with water and four or five generations were produced from May until the end of September. One very long generation occurred in July, which corresponded to maximum larval densities. Overall, there was a strong relationship between larval development time of C. restuans and larval density. A few larvae of Culex pipiens pipiens occurred sporadically throughout the summer, but numbers did not increase until C. restuans populations began to wane in late July. Thereafter two, or possibly three, generations were produced into the autumn. The patterns of colonization, synchrony of life history, and growth of these two species were remarkably consistent amongst the ponds, despite considerable variation in both their physical and biological environments (e.g., over the 2 years of study, conductivity ranged from 20 to 890 μS, pH from 6.4 to 10.7, dissolved oxygen from 0 to 13.5 ppm, and water temperature from 5 to 29.8 °C). Density of C. restuans was related to water temperature and pH at the "open" site and to water temperature, dissolved oxygen, percent algae, and percent detritus at the "edge of the woods" site. At the "deep woods" site, larval numbers were related to temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. At both the edge and deep wood sites, larval development time of C. restuans increased with mean water temperature to 20 °C. Above this temperature, larval development time tended to decrease.

An eco-physiological model of the impact of temperature on Aedes aegypti life history traits

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1597-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Padmanabha ◽  
Fabio Correa ◽  
Mathieu Legros ◽  
H. Fredrick Nijhout ◽  
Cynthia Lord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Physiological Model ◽  
The Impact

The effects of Spiromesifen on life history traits and demographic parameters of predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its prey Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1512-1525
Author(s):  
Niloufar Sangak Sani Bozhgani1 ◽  
Katayoon Kheradmand ◽  
Aliasghar Talebi
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Tetranychus Urticae ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Sublethal Effects ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Neoseiulus Californicus ◽  
Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽  
Adult Longevity ◽  
Demographic Parameters ◽  
Rate Of Increase

Estimating sublethal effects of acaricides on phytoseiid mites and their prey as a reliable approach in predicting the acaricides impacts is mandatory for IPM programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spiromesifen on life history traits and demographic parameters of the offspring of Neoseiulus californicus and Tetranychus urticae under laboratory conditions [25 ± 2ºC, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h]. The experiments were conducted based on the leaf-dip technique. The crude data were analysed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The pre-adult and adult longevity of both sexes significantly reduced for N. califonicus and T. urticae with the concentration enhancing from LC20 to LC35. In addition, the oviposition period for both species significantly decreased as a consequence of treatment with LC25 and LC35 of spiromesifen. The minimal values of the total fecundity for N. califonicus and T. urticae were 16.58 and 19.35 (offspring/individual), respectively, which was related to LC35 concentration. Further, the lowest values of R0 and GRR of N. califonicus and its prey were 48.88 and 31.14 (offspring/individual) in LC35, respectively. However, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were not significantly influenced by sublethal concentration in N. californicus while the r and λ were significantly reduced in T. urticae treated by LC20, LC25 and LC35. Therefore, spiromesifen could profoundly decrease the population growth rate of T. urticae but can not be considered as a compatible acaricide with N. califonicus because of its negative effect on the longevity, total lifespan, and reproductive periods and should not be used with this predatory mite in integrated pest management programs.

scholarly journals The Scarcity of Specific Nutrients in Wild Bee Larval Food Negatively Influences Certain Life History Traits

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Zuzanna M. Filipiak ◽  
Michał Filipiak
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Behavioral Ecology ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
Male Mortality ◽  
Wild Bee ◽  
The Impact

Bee nutrition studies have focused on food quantity rather than quality, and on details of bee biology rather than on the functioning of bees in ecosystems. Ecological stoichiometry has been proposed for studies on bee nutritional ecology as an ecosystem-oriented approach complementary to traditional approaches. It uses atomic ratios of chemical elements in foods and organisms as metrics to ask ecological questions. However, information is needed on the fitness effects of nutritional mismatches between bee demand and the supply of specific elements in food. We performed the first laboratory feeding experiment on the wild bee Osmia bicornis, investigating the impact of Na, K, and Zn scarcity in larval food on fitness-related life history traits (mortality, cocoon development, and imago body mass). We showed that bee fitness is shaped by chemical element availability in larval food; this effect may be sex-specific, where Na might influence female body mass, while Zn influences male mortality and body mass, and the trade-off between K allocation in cocoons and adults may influence cocoon and body development. These results elucidate the nutritional mechanisms underlying the nutritional ecology, behavioral ecology, and population functioning of bees within the context of nutrient cycling in the food web.

Variability of breeding resource partitioning in a lacertid lizard at field scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-92
Author(s):  
Marta Biaggini ◽  
Claudia Corti
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Life History Variation ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
The Impact

Human activities cause increasingly deep alterations to natural environments. Yet, the effects on vertebrates with low dispersal capacity are still poorly investigated, especially at field scale. Life history variation represents one means by which species can adapt to a changing environment. Among vertebrates, lizards exhibit a high degree of variation in life-history traits, often associated with environmental variability. We examined the female breeding output ofPodarcissiculus(Lacertidae) inside agricultural habitats, to test whether different cultivation and management influence the life-history traits of this species. Interestingly, we recorded variability of female breeding output at a very fine scale, namely among adjacent vineyards and olive orchards under different management levels. Lizards displayed the lowest breeding effort in the almost unmanaged sites, while clutch mass, relative fecundity and mean egg mass slightly increased in more intensively managed sites. However, in the most intensive cultivations we detected a life-history trade-off, where eggs from larger clutches tended to be relatively smaller than eggs from smaller clutches. This pattern suggests that agriculture can influence lizard reproductive output, partly favouring it in the presence of medium intensity cultivation but causing, in the most intensively managed sites, some environmental constraints that require a peculiar partitioning of the breeding resources. Even though further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms driving the observed pattern, our results can be considered a starting point for evaluating the analysis of lizard breeding features as a tool to assess the impact of human activities, at least in agricultural environments.

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