The Effects of Various Diets on the Growth and Reproduction of Modicogryllus truncatus (Tarbinsky, 1940) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract

The effects of various diets on the growth and reproduction of Modicogryllus truncatus (Tarbinsky, 1940) were investigated. The method, based on rearing of the insects on a new diet prepared by discarding one of components from known chemical diet under laboratory condition was used in this study. For this, nymphs were reared separately on three different diets such as stock culture medium containing lettuce, fat-free artificial diet and artificial diet containing wheat germ oil until reaching the adult stage. Average body weights in 30-days old nymphs and 60 days old male and female nymphs and 90-days old male nymphs reared on lettuce were higher than those reared separately on two synthetic diets. But average body weights of nymphs reared on fat-free artificial diet and artificial diet containing wheat germ oil were similar. Insects were reared successfully through two generations on fat-free artificial diet. The hatching percentage of eggs laid by the females reared together with the males on fat-free diet containing vitamin E and wheat germ oil were similar to each other. According to these results, M. truncatus reared on fat-free artificial diet can successfully grow and reproduce.