Prevalence of Insects in Traditionally Stored Rice at Farmhouses in Bangladesh

A survey was conducted to investigate rice storage practices at the farmer’s level and the prevalence of insects’ status through a pretested questionnaire in Mymensingh and Jashore districts, Bangladesh. For seed purposes, large, medium, and small farmers store about 40, 10, and 5 kg, respectively in the Aman season for 7 months whereas in the Boro season large and medium farmers keep about 80 and 20 kg for 5 months. Average storage time was the highest (7 months) for Boro and Aman rice by large and small farmers, respectively for consumption. Eleven storage items namely, Dole, Motka, Tin, Plastic Drum, Gunny Bag, Bamboo Gola, Dhari, Bamboo Auri, Berh, Steel Drum, and Plastic Bag were found. About 57 and 74% of farmers stored rice, among them 47 and 58% used traditional Dole in Jashore and Mymensingh, respectively. Tin and Berh (1%) were the least used storage structures. About 11 and 17%; 3 and 4% of farmers used neem leaf and chemicals especially phostoxin in storage as an insect repellent in these areas, respectively. The use of Plastic Bags increased sharply due to lightweight, availability, and low price, whereas Bamboo Gola, Berh, Motka users decreased remarkably. Relative abundance of the insect species was: Rice Moth Sitotroga cerealla, Rice Weevil Sitophilus oryzae, Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castoreum, and Lesser Meal Worm Alphitobious diaperinus. Maximum insect infestation was found in stored paddy in Dole followed by Motka, and Plastic Bag; and the least amount was observed in Plastic Drum in both regions. Three fourth of the respondents took no measures to control insect pests in stored rice.

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF ZOPHOBAS MORIO MEAL WORM AND HERMETIA ILLUCENS GARVES AND THEIR EFFECT ON LIVING WEIGHT OF YOUNG WHITE RATS

The article presents the results of studies of the fatty acid composition of Zophobas morio mealworms and Hermetia illucens larvae. It was found that the insects contained saturated and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Comparative analysis of insects showed that the most at-tractive in terms of unsaturated acids was the composition of mealworms, where sapienic, linoleic, oleic and cervonic fatty acids prevailed. More than 70 % of the larvae contained saturated fatty ac-ids with a significant proportion of lauric and myristic acids. It was found that the use of mealworms Zophobas morio and larvae of Hermetia illucens in live and dried form in feeding young white rats provided an increase in live weight by 12.1-16.7 and 11.4-14.0 % in comparison with control animals.

Organic side streams: using microbes to make substrates more fit for mass producing insects for use as feed

Microbes, combined with insects, convert organic waste into products of value. Resulting insects can be harvested and used as a high-quality protein resource, while the residues can be used as fertiliser. Microbes play an important role in the conversion process. This review’s aim was focused on how microbes promote insects such as black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.), house fly (Musca domestica L.), waxworm (Plodia interpunctella) and yellow meal worm (Tenebrio molitor L.), to convert organic waste, while also harmlessly reducing organic waste pollution. The novelty is reflected in some core gut microbiota and their secreted enzymes degrade macromolecules such as protein, fat, polysaccharide, cellulose, polystyrene and polyethylene. Gut microbiota also could help insects degrade hazardous substances such as antibiotics, mycotoxin, odorous substances, and inhibit pathogens in organic wastes to make substrates more fit for insects.